radiator hose issue - F-Body Road Racing and Autocross Forums

I have the big Griffen radiator and am still running all the factory hoses with a worm clamp on the driver side connection. Its this lower driver side connection that is leaking. Its a slow leak, it only causes problems at WOT...if I do several consecutive runs on autoX or I do a WOT 1/4 type run it spikes and won't cool unless you park it for 30 min. This is as a result of a low coolant level. I check it after these occations and it is always low despite having recently topping it off. I guess it is leaking more than I originally thought. What type of hose/connection can I replace the factory setup with that would prevent leaking? Id like something plug and play that doesn't require fabrication if possible.
Any thoughts?

pharmd View Member Profile	Nov 28 2013, 04:37 PM Post #1
Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 182 Joined: 27-August 08 Member No.: 2,284	I have the big Griffen radiator and am still running all the factory hoses with a worm clamp on the driver side connection. Its this lower driver side connection that is leaking. Its a slow leak, it only causes problems at WOT...if I do several consecutive runs on autoX or I do a WOT 1/4 type run it spikes and won't cool unless you park it for 30 min. This is as a result of a low coolant level. I check it after these occations and it is always low despite having recently topping it off. I guess it is leaking more than I originally thought. What type of hose/connection can I replace the factory setup with that would prevent leaking? Id like something plug and play that doesn't require fabrication if possible. Any thoughts?

CrashTestDummy View Member Profile	Nov 28 2013, 05:52 PM Post #2
Veteran Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 3,887 Joined: 3-July 04 From: Pearland, Texas Member No.: 385	I don't see why a regular hose and worm-type clamp can't do the trick on _any_ radiator. I usually have to re-tighten the hose clamps after reattaching a hose to the radiator (especially the silicone ones on our 9C1) once the car has warmed, but that's usually a one-time thing. The hose is the proper diameter for the hose adapter on the radiator? You should probably examine the hose adapter where it joins the radiator for cracks. AFAIK, anything NOT a regular hose and hose clamp is going to take some fab work.