73 Big Block Lower Radiator Hose Installation???
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
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From: Napa Valley California
73 Big Block Lower Radiator Hose Installation???
I crawled under my 73 big block to look at the fitment of the new lower radiator hose.
The hose is a GM reproduction hose and contains the inner spring.
It looks nearly impossible to install the hose because with the spring in the hose there is no give to work it onto the water pump or on the radiator outlet.
I’m sure there is a way to get the hose on and I hope all you PRO’s out there have some tricks to get it in place.
I actually looked up the oem 454 with ac three piece hose option as an alternative.
Thanks in advance.
Greg
The hose is a GM reproduction hose and contains the inner spring.
It looks nearly impossible to install the hose because with the spring in the hose there is no give to work it onto the water pump or on the radiator outlet.
I’m sure there is a way to get the hose on and I hope all you PRO’s out there have some tricks to get it in place.
I actually looked up the oem 454 with ac three piece hose option as an alternative.
Thanks in advance.
Greg
1967 Pedal Car Champion
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 9,201
Likes: 4,295
From: US-PNW
There's precious little room down there to get much leverage to do anything... I have the 3-piece for my '72 and it's still a struggle, compound that with getting the auto trans lines hooked up to the radiator!
What if you remove the spring and see if that gives you some flexibility to get it on the radiator? Then slide the spring in from the water pump end. I use a light coat of grease (di-lectric is handy) to help the rubber slide onto the outlets. Make sure you install the lower clamp before buttoning up the top clamp! (BTDT
)
What if you remove the spring and see if that gives you some flexibility to get it on the radiator? Then slide the spring in from the water pump end. I use a light coat of grease (di-lectric is handy) to help the rubber slide onto the outlets. Make sure you install the lower clamp before buttoning up the top clamp! (BTDT
)
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,444
Likes: 8,239
From: Napa Valley California
There's precious little room down there to get much leverage to do anything... I have the 3-piece for my '72 and it's still a struggle, compound that with getting the auto trans lines hooked up to the radiator!
What if you remove the spring and see if that gives you some flexibility to get it on the radiator? Then slide the spring in from the water pump end. I use a light coat of grease (di-lectric is handy) to help the rubber slide onto the outlets. Make sure you install the lower clamp before buttoning up the top clamp! (BTDT )
What if you remove the spring and see if that gives you some flexibility to get it on the radiator? Then slide the spring in from the water pump end. I use a light coat of grease (di-lectric is handy) to help the rubber slide onto the outlets. Make sure you install the lower clamp before buttoning up the top clamp! (BTDT
)
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 417
Likes: 40
From: Swansea IL
My 70 BB car came with the three piece lower hose assy. It really is not hard to install or remove the three piece assy. The center segment is a metal tube. As was suggested, spray the inside of the hoses , where they sip,on the tube, with WD-40 and the job is pretty painless.
cant imagine working with a one piece hose.
cant imagine working with a one piece hose.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,444
Likes: 8,239
From: Napa Valley California
My 70 BB car came with the three piece lower hose assy. It really is not hard to install or remove the three piece assy. The center segment is a metal tube. As was suggested, spray the inside of the hoses , where they sip,on the tube, with WD-40 and the job is pretty painless.
cant imagine working with a one piece hose.
cant imagine working with a one piece hose.
I spent an hour under the car again this morning looking at the best possible way to install the hose.
I’m sure there is a way but I just don’t see it, unless I unbolt and raise up the radiator.
I gave up and just ordered the three piece hoses.
I’ve always used a little dish soap mixed with water and found it works wonders to get the hoses on, plus it doesn’t smell or leave the residue WD-40 does.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 18
Likes: 6
From: North Florida
Thanks 😊
I spent an hour under the car again this morning looking at the best possible way to install the hose.
I’m sure there is a way but I just don’t see it, unless I unbolt and raise up the radiator.
I gave up and just ordered the three piece hoses.
I’ve always used a little dish soap mixed with water and found it works wonders to get the hoses on, plus it doesn’t smell or leave the residue WD-40 does.
I spent an hour under the car again this morning looking at the best possible way to install the hose.
I’m sure there is a way but I just don’t see it, unless I unbolt and raise up the radiator.
I gave up and just ordered the three piece hoses.
I’ve always used a little dish soap mixed with water and found it works wonders to get the hoses on, plus it doesn’t smell or leave the residue WD-40 does.
I dish soaped the radiator side, and did it first. Then did the pump side (also soaped). Then twisted each end until there was no twist in the hose. It wasn’t fun, but not terrible.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
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From: Napa Valley California
I did get mine on, but I wish I would have trimmed 1/4” off the water pump side so the hose wasn’t laying on the top of the front crossmember.
Once the upper radiator hose arrives I can get the T clamps ordered and be done with the hoses.
I ordered some 2” split plastic tubing to wrap the lower hose to protect it from rubbing on the crossmember and I hope it works.
Once the upper radiator hose arrives I can get the T clamps ordered and be done with the hoses.
I ordered some 2” split plastic tubing to wrap the lower hose to protect it from rubbing on the crossmember and I hope it works.
