Expat_PM

I've seen a lot of questions on here about the heater hoses that run from the water pump to the heater and coolant reservoir.
But I didn't see where anyone asked where to get a complete replacement assembly for both hoses.
Also, the funky pressed on fittings that connect the hoses to the Tee on each hose, what is that? Can I reuse the Tee and how do I get them apart?
I would like to build in a flushing fitting into the system when I replace but don't want to put in the rinky-dink plastic one they sell at the auto stores.

Thanks

BlueRidgeMark

There is a heater control valve on the earlier models, which was omitted in later models. It caused lots of problems and accomplished nothing. Most here recommend simply removing it.

With it removed all you need is a length of 5/8" heater hose, a length of 3/4" heater hose, and some ordinary hose clamps. Simple as can be.

Drop by your local auto parts store, pick up 10 feet of each, cut to length, clamp them in place.

Now cap off the vacuum line that controlled the heater control valve. You are done.

No tees. No special fittings. If you want to flush it, buy a garden hose to 3/4" barbed adapter, and a garden hose thread to 5/8" barbed adapter, and you have your flush kit. Just disconnect from the thermostat housing, plug in the appropriate barbed fitting, attach your hose, and flush.

_StationWagon_

Why is it necessary to disconnect the thermostat?

Guywitha92

If you haven't deleted your hcv, I highly recommend it.

ElMartillo

4 feet of each size is more than enough.

Also, if stock, your '88 has the earlier Renix pressurized coolant reservoir, which is failure-prone. At Cruiser54's urging, I performed a mod to my '89 cooling system to simplify by deleting the HCV and add a non-pressurized reservoir. The thread includes a list of parts needed:

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/hose-kits-221251/

Expat_PM

Thank everyone.
As ElMartillo pointed out, I have the closed (pressurized) cooling system. Thanks for the link to parts. I would like to eliminate the HCV and the pressurized tank.

This is all next month. I have several other Renix refurbs to do first.

BlueRidgeMark

It's not.

IF you want to flush your heater core, disconnect both hoses from the thermostat housing, plug in the fittings as described, and connect a garden hose to one of the hoses and flush. If you have two garden hoses, you can connect the other fitting and then direct the outflow into a bucket.

BlueRidgeMark

Yep.

And it's cheap, and useful to have around, and with 10 feet of each you might just decide to route them differently, say, away from your distributor or out of the way of the dipsticks. Or not. With extra, you have options.

I once went to the auto parts store and picked up a missing bolt. Got home and lost the other one. Learned my lesson.

Expat_PM

What an amazing thread! Thank you for sharing it. That's EXACTLY what I need.
Great job all and special thanks to "the Hammer"

cruiser54

Si.

ElMartillo

De nada. Seņor Cruiser54 deserves the thanks for this mod.

Note: the three Dayco heater hoses and splice I listed can be replaced by the heater hoses mentioned by BlueRidgeMark above, and will bring the cost of the mod down a fair amount.

Happy trails, gentlemen!

cruiser54

I'm gonna do a write up on this at some point. I will want to add the bulk hose info above.

Can somebody give me the hose size and which was routed where in regards to engine and heater core nipples?

freegdr

5 feet of 5/8s and 3/4 self explanatory when doing

cruiser54

When you're doing write-ups you have to be detailed........

Some "selfs" don't get things sometimes.

freegdr

Small 5/8s goes on small nipples. Larger 3/4 goes on larger nipples. Water pump tube to bottom core nipple . Thermostat to upper heater core nipple.