Radiator Hose Fit Question

[statikuz]

Alrighty, after I did my body lift, I had to mod the upper and lower radiator hoses... I went to NAPA and managed to get a molded upper hose that just HAPPENED to fit right, so that's cool. Figured I could just trim the lower hose a bit, and it looks like its going to be alright, but where I cut the hose was in the middle of a bend, so the thickness of the hose isn't quite uniform, and now it doesn't fit back onto the engine-side neck! The radiator side slips on just fine, but I can't wrench the other side on quite enough... is there some sort of grease I could grease the inside of the hose a little to make it slip on? Anyone have any other ideas?

 

Update: having a related problem with the fuel vent line... they sent 1/2" hose but its a little too small and no one around here has 9/16" or even 5/8". Can I grease those fittings, maybe with some dielectric grease or something? :confused:

[88pathoffroad]

Sure, grease away. Tried WD-40? That works too and it isn't quite so messy.

[statikuz]

Yep, tried some grease which made it slip on alright... turns out that I trimmed a little TOO much off the radiator side of the old hose... now I have to go get another stock lower radiator hose, hack THAT one up, and hope that I do it right this time. Should be able to get some 9/16" or so hose for the vent line, cuz grease didn't help that situation either.