Interest In Correct 70 - 72 "Thick Walled" Ribbed Upper Overflow Hose

Discussion in 'Repro Parts' started by Brett Slater, May 31, 2018.

  1. Brett Slater

    Brett Slater Super Moderator Staff Member

    Let me preface by saying I have absolutely ZERO idea where to start when I comes to reproducing parts.

    However, after a months long search for the correct hose finally came to fruition this week, (gsfred is the man!) I feel like this is an often overlooked part that I'm sure quite a few members could use.

    The repros currently available have an inside diameter that's too big. I know - I've bought 3 of them. The upper outlet of the tank is thinner than the bottom outlet.

    That said: have any of you ever embarked on a reproduction journey and if so, where did you start?

    Here's the hose I'm talking about:

    20180531_162324.jpg 20180531_145117.jpg 20180531_145012.jpg
     
  2. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    The issue with reproduction rubber hoses or anything made these days out of rubber is that it dry rots within a year. Bought a repro color coded vacuum hose set for an RS Camaro. Fit like a glove to replace all the rubber vacuum hoses for the headlights on my Riv. They literally fell apart after a year. All the ends split. Bought a repo floor shifter boot for the beater from Fusick not even a year ago. Wasn't cheap either. The thing is dry rotted already. Its ridiculous. Yet, 48 year old rubber hoses are still pliable and useable.
     
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  3. PCUB

    PCUB PCUB

    Brett, since I'm needing the same hose after having my car in for repaint last year; I was hoping you'd lead the way and discover a new source?!;) I agree, most fuel hose is too stiff and the ribbed hose material they used back in the day was probably designed for multiple applications across several models (now gone). I'd settle for functional material but it would be nice to see a reman of this hose with the right ribbing and color. I would think vendors like OPGI that cover many GM models would be a path to a solution. If anyone knows of another supplier , lets hope they chime in. Thanks for putting this issue on the board.
     
  4. Brett Slater

    Brett Slater Super Moderator Staff Member

    I'm definitely going to look into this.
     
  5. Daves69

    Daves69 Too many cars too work on

  6. Brett Slater

    Brett Slater Super Moderator Staff Member

  7. 69 GS 400

    69 GS 400 Well-Known Member

    Most repros cheap out. They don't understand that we would be willing to pay more for correct and longer lasting instead of junk. Wish the manufactures would realize to go the bit of extra distance. They would have more and repeat customers if they did so. Their reputation relies on this . They could probably have higher profits and sales if they did so. Bad news travels fast.
     
  8. Brett Slater

    Brett Slater Super Moderator Staff Member

    And after reading another post regarding The Parts Place, I'm not very confident.
     
  9. DBS

    DBS Well-Known Member

    Totally agree. I'd be glad to pay more, and a pretty decent amount more for a correct repro part. It also keeps the value of NOS parts high.
     
  10. Brett Slater

    Brett Slater Super Moderator Staff Member

    The Ames Pontiac hose I got last year was way off. As was the radiator clip that secures this hose. It broke when I tried affixing it to my radiator.
     
  11. Duane

    Duane Member

    Guys
    Just as another outlet,
    For years I have been collecting original vacuum/other hoses off junked cars and using them on my personal restorations. The best cars to use as donors are the big cars. Their hoses are generally longer then the A-body hoses (bigger cars) so you can usually cut the bad ends off and get what you need out of the middle.

    For the non-ink stamped hoses I generally clean them off with lacquer thinner. Then wait a few days before installing them. (I let the fumes come out of the part first.)
    I use traditional cleaners for the ink/stamped hoses. Either way they generally come out looking perfect.

    Before the Yellow Striped windshield washer hoses were reproduced I was selling nice originals. I think I got them off Cadillacs and cut them down to the A-body length.

    This is how I got all my hoses for my 71 GSX, and I remember the Judges asking me where I found NOS hoses. I never told them where I got them.

    Not to kill a market, but if there are only a few people wanting such detail, this may be a viable option.
    You can't beat original.

    Just something to think about.
    Duane
     
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  12. Brett Slater

    Brett Slater Super Moderator Staff Member

    Duane,

    I appreciate the input and couldn't agree more in terms of using OEM parts in general.

    The problem with that - at least on my end - is most, if not all the old stuff around here has beat me to the crusher. I wish I'd had your hindsight but then again, I've been out of the game for a long time and when I was in it, my only concern was going fast and not factory correctness.

    That said, the repro hoses currently available are not only wrong but kind of junk.

    Again, I'm just getting a feel for what type of market there is for these. It could be one of those deals where people probably didn't realize the hoses they were using were wrong - both in appearance and fitment - and I feel like the majority of board members own the 70 - 72 body styles.

    There's a local rubber company near Boston that's been in business since 1931 that I'll probably call this week to try and get a feel for what - if anything - they'd be able to do.
     
  13. Brett Slater

    Brett Slater Super Moderator Staff Member

    Everything I've seen at all the repro vendors has been "thin walled" which is incorrect for our overflow tanks.

    You'd think with that many vendors, someone would get it right. If anyone can find a current source, I'd definitely like to see it.
     
  14. mrolds69

    mrolds69 "The Cure"

    I could be mistaken, but I thought at one time buickfrank had these done when he was selling tanks. I think CARS sold them, too.
     
  15. Brett Slater

    Brett Slater Super Moderator Staff Member

    I think he was but I'm not sure they were correct.

    CARS offers one but it's also thin walled.
    Screenshot_20180602-101343_Chrome.jpg
     

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