Hose questions on a '69

[Paul S.]

Hi all,

I have been researching hoses for my base 300 HP '69 convertible, and I am thoroughly confused. I know that the two heater hoses on my car are incorrect, as they have "NAPA" printed on them. The other hoses look like they may be original or at least GM replacements, but they look different than the "correct" reproduction hoses that most of the vendors sell.

Below are some pics of the hoses in question...

Lower Radiator: Lower_Radiator.jpg

Upper Radiator: Upper_Radiator.jpg

Radiator to Expansion Tank: Radiator_To_Expansion_Tank.jpg

Left PCV: Left_PCV.jpg

Right PCV: Right_PCV.jpg


I am wondering how these will judge. Should I replace them all with reproduction hoses, or are some of these ones possibly ok? None of them appear to be cracked or leaking, so I would hate to replace hoses that might be original or otherwise "more correct" than the reproductions. Any help or opinions would be GREATLY appreciated!


Thanks,
Paul

[Edward J.]

Re: Hose questions on a '69

Pat, I start with a careful inspection of the hoses, Squeeze the hoses, should be firm but not hard, Hoses will sometimes degrade from the inside out as the age. I would say the hoses look original they have the correct texture, and the repro hoses are really nothing like the originals, I would say keep them for judging reasons, and install some repro radiator and heater hoses for normal everyday driving, Hose are not a bad job to replace, the trick is keeping the original hoses & clamps in working order without destroying them.

[Mike E.]

Re: Hose questions on a '69

The other trick is not using a heat source (hair dryer, heat gun) to loosen the hose grip on heater core, etc. to get the hose to release without having to slice it. It those are original hoses from 1969, they won't just slide right off. I guarantee it!

[Patrick H.]

Re: Hose questions on a '69

Rad to expansion is very likely a repro, but so what. Verify if 69 is supposed to have GM logos, and if not remove with lacquer thinner.

Left PCV hose has a later date (03 01 00) so remove that at least.

Rad hoses look very good as does the "right PCV" ada air cleaner base hose.

[Joe L.]

Re: Hose questions on a '69

Rad to expansion is very likely a repro, but so what. Verify if 69 is supposed to have GM logos, and if not remove with lacquer thinner.

Left PCV hose has a later date (03 01 00) so remove that at least.

Rad hoses look very good as does the "right PCV" ada air cleaner base hose.

Patrick and Paul------


I agree. The radiator hoses are either original or identical GM replacements. Actually, I would hope that they're GM replacements since, if original, they'd be 47 year old hoses and, likely, without much life left in them.

The air cleaner PCV hose is definitely an original or an identical GM replacement.

The PCV valve hose is definitely a GM replacement. Among other reasons, there's no way one of these hoses would survive 47 years. The heat involved causes these things to become brittle and break.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Hose questions on a '69

The PCV valve hose is definitely a GM replacement. Among other reasons, there's no way one of these hoses would survive 47 years. The heat involved causes these things to become brittle and break.

Usually about 3/4 inch to 1 inch away from the carb end. They turn hard as a rock and crack right off.

[Paul S.]

Re: Hose questions on a '69

Thanks, guys -- this is extremely helpful information!

The only thing I still have a question about is the radiator to expansion tank hose. I checked the judging guide, and it does not specify whether this should have the GM logos on it or not. The vendors all seem to be selling the following reproduction hose, although I must say that the printing on it looks way too neat and pronounced to me:

hose.JPG

My hose has similar blue GM logos on it, but the font of the text is different, and the printing is much lighter and more sloppy:

Radiator_To_Expansion_Tank.jpg

Does anyone know which (if either) would be more correct for a base '69? Or is plain black without the logos correct?


Thanks again,
Paul

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: Hose questions on a '69

Paul,
It is my understanding that heater hoses in '69 did not have the GM logo even though most vendors sell them. Heater hoses generally had a "DL", "U", or "X" stamped on them. See page 83 of the JG for description. It states: "Heater hoses are black with no GM logo on them. Many original heater hoses are seen with white letters DL, U, and X stamped on them. At this time it is not known what these indicate."
Jeff

[Terry M.]

Re: Hose questions on a '69

Paul,
It is my understanding that heater hoses in '69 did not have the GM logo even though most vendors sell them. Heater hoses generally had a "DL", "U", or "X" stamped on them. See page 83 of the JG for description. It states: "Heater hoses are black with no GM logo on them. Many original heater hoses are seen with white letters DL, U, and X stamped on them. At this time it is not known what these indicate."
Jeff

Jeff has the right answer, and even quotes from the TIM&JG. Good job Jeff.

Vendors sell the hoses that way because mid-year guys like those logos. Lacquer thinner is your friend. The ribs on the reproduction hoses are not right (they are sometimes groves rather than ribs) but those are a symbol of the hose manufacturer and can be different on original cars depending on the supplier. The groves/ribs are worth a dot at most.

[Paul S.]

Re: Hose questions on a '69

Thanks, guys. I saw that in the judging guide, but it is in regard to the heater hoses. Does it apply to the radiator to expansion tank hose as well? That is what I am asking about.

That hose is discussed separately in the judging guide, but it does not mention whether it should have logos, grooves, etc..

[Mark D.]

Re: Hose questions on a '69

Radiator to expansion should have logos, in model year 1969. They appear, in the pic, to be typical. People would pay LOTS of money for those hoses.

[Joe L.]

Re: Hose questions on a '69

All-------


Attached are photos of used radiator hoses from a 1969 300 HP. These hoses are about 30+ years old and are GM SERVICE hoses, NOT reproductions. While these are SERVICE hoses, I do not recall the originals being stamped any differently. I might even have the used originals here somewhere.


DSCN3254.jpgDSCN3255.jpgDSCN3256.jpgDSCN3257.jpg

[Paul S.]

Re: Hose questions on a '69

Thanks, Joe! My lower radiator hose looks identical to the one you posted, but obviously, my upper hose is a bit different. (It has the same style lettering as the lower hose, rather than the different style shown on the one you posted.) If you happen to find those originals, I'd definitely love to see photos.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Hose questions on a '69

Paul,

Reproductions will be no better than what you have, whether yours are original or later GM. I wouldn't touch your hoses at all, and would pass them for any judging event.

If your hoses are mostly original then how nice is the rest of the car?

Patrick

[Terry M.]

Re: Hose questions on a '69

Radiator to expansion should have logos, in model year 1969. They appear, in the pic, to be typical. People would pay LOTS of money for those hoses.

Depends on when in the model year. Those logos went away sometime during the long 1969 model year.