Radiator hoses for 55 Fairlane with 312

[Coach Grumpy]

When I bought my 55 Club Sedan, I was told it had a 312 engine in it. After 4 years I am finally getting around to invest some time, energy and money. I need to replace the radiator hoses and am not sure which hoses I need to order. Am I correct in assuming that both engines share the same block, so hoses that fit a 292 should fit the 312?

Next Question is who still carries the correct parts? Are there preferred vendors that support this or other forums?

Thanks for letting me lurk.

Craig

 

[54vicky]

they are the same as you assumed Rock auto amongest others carry both upper and lowers

 

[dmsfrr]

Yes, with several bolt-on part differences all the Y-block engine blocks are functionally interchangeable.

Check your favorite local auto parts store for availability. The hoses may easier to find than you think. NAPA comes to mind.

IIRC, there are 3 different styles of thermostat housing. One with the large hose pointing up (trucks?). The second has the upper hose fitting angled 45 degrees to the right (full-sized cars?).
A third thermostat housing style has the upper hose fitting pointing straight ahead, for '55/'57 Tbirds.

If it matters, from the factory a V8 '55 Club Sedan would most likely have had a 272 not a 292.

 

[Coach Grumpy]

Thanks for confirming my thoughts. The engine is not original to the car and is running a 4 bbl Holley. After the new hoses it’s over to a local Idaho Chariots member for rewiring. Whoever converted from 6 to 12 volts really didn’t have a clue as to what he was doing.

 

[dmsfrr]

. . .
After the new hoses it’s over to a local Idaho Chariots member for rewiring. Whoever converted from 6 to 12 volts really didn’t have a clue as to what he was doing.

Here's a link for you, and the fellow fixing the 6v / 12v conversion work.
It was written for '55 T-Birds but virtually all of the info will apply to any other '54 or '55 Ford.

https://www.ctci.org/battery-for-6v-to-12v-conversion/

If he has trouble getting an original in-dash '55 Temperature Gauge to work correctly with the smaller '57+ style temp Sensor in the head, it's because internally the sensors aren't the same. There are a couple work-around solutions.

 

[Coach Grumpy]

Thanks for the information. I’m learning as I go. (Aren’t we all?)