Lower radiator coolant line solution?

[Goldwing]

I didn't purchase this hose with this in mind, but it really seems to fit well up there. Kind of a Forrest Gump moment. A gates #22158 hose with a little trimmed off at the radiator end with an adapter at the radiator but sized well for the bendy tubing. It aims right below the steering shaft, and looks like it will just clear the battery, but can't absolutely verify that yet since I didn't get a battery yet. It seems like a clean fit. Anyone see a reason why this wouldn't work? It even came with a large piece of shielding to prevent abrasion.

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[Boog]

Looks like it clears the bellows nicely. Are you using radiator spacers?

[Goldwing]

So far, unless I'm missing another issue, I'm using the stock pieces on the bottom of the radiator and used a spacer to get the upper brackets to reach. It clears the bellows, but not by much. Is there room to move the radiator up a bit? I already had to use about a 1" spacer on the top radiator brackets. If there's room, a little more bellows clearance would be nice.

[Boog]

By spacers I was referring to shifting the unit upward using something like Rori's solution (http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?13643-RoRi-s-Custom-Parts-Feeler-Thread&p=148797&viewfull=1#post148797) or a custom equivalent.
Regardless, this seems to be the hose to pick up. Good find.

[Goldwing]

Thanks! Ooh, i like Rori's spacers, I hadn't seen those yet. I wasn't sure how much room there was to go up. While this hose just clears the bellows, it could still use a little extra room. The hose will help with burping, the spacers will give it that extra bit of clearance. This hose and those spacers should work well. Thanks for linking that up for me.

[billjr212]

Rich, would you still need the stock lower radiator hose to hack up and attach to the engine side? I don't have either hose from my donor, so if I'm understanding this correctly, I would still need to buy both the OEM ones and then add this as well to get the extra clearance? (not a big deal, it's only ~$15, but just figured I would check first)

[Goldwing]

You'll need the upper oem one with the 2 90's and the Gates hose. Going with FFR's plan I think that's all. I added burp line ports at the engine coolant outlet and top radiator inlet via a 45° VW VR6 connectors at the highest point if that run front and rear (see page 3 of my build), and wound up using a 45 from the lower hose to complete the 90° bend at the top of the radiator after the vr6 piece. I used both 90's in the rear passenger side. One from the side tube to turn up, the other from the engine outlet angling outboard with the other vr6 connector in between. The VR6 connectors were a little small, but hold well with the hose clamps. I haven't vetted my burp system yet, but it mirrors Wayne's solution in the back.

[Goldwing]

I should note that I added a 3, 1/8-ish" spacers at the lower radiator mount. 2 in the main donut mount and one smaller one on the radiator post before inserting it into the donut. I have comfortable spacing with the steering rack bellows now. It didn't rub with the gates hose by itself, but it was close, peace of mind and all.
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