well I figured since I keep seeing problems people are having with the "known to fit" lower rad hoses that for some people still rub.

So what I did which makes it easy to find a relacement hose while away from home. (and keeps the hose far away from the idler arm and frame)

I took a newer style thermostat housing and cut as shown in the picture, then rotated it so it aimed almost strait at the radiator (had more of a angle toward the lower passanger side of the radiator) marked it with a marker making two lines about an half inch apart so the welder could line up the marks and weld around the cut.


this allows the use of many many hoses at the parts stores. you could almost use a strait hose but I felt a molded hose with a slight bent would allow for the twisting of the ls1 with out problems of stress and kinking


*also wanted to add the later housing have a replacable thermostat*

If you're using the Gates Part number 21505, you can ask for a 83-90 F-Series with the 7.5L (460ci) V8. That's what I found when using the number supplied by Spike-Z in this thread.. If this is correct information, it shouldn't be a very hard hose to find anywhere.