BBC 454 swap -- need radiator hose help

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454GrandPrix

Master Mechanic
Jul 27, 2016
429
818
93
Lehi, Utah
I have a 26" drop-in Champion radiator with stock location inlets. I have a 454 bolted to stock SBC motor mounts with a Proform aluminum long-nose water pump (#68241). I am trying to connect the two.

I began by purchasing stock hoses for a Monte Carlo SS. The lower hose looks like it might work, if only it would fit over my water pump inlet. My water pump inlet is 1.75" as expected, and the hose has an ID of 1.75" at that end... but my pump has a huge lip that measures 2.0" in diameter... and this hose does not want to fit over it at all. Researching in this forum, somebody said to buy Dayco hose #70936; but as I look at that hose online, it seems to have the same 1.75" ID at the pump end. Does anybody have any other hose part numbers that might work for me?

At the other end of the radiator, the upper hose is way too long and isn't close to working. Again, I hear tell the Dayco #70548 is the ticket... but I don't have one of those yet so I don't know if it really will fit. Can anyone here confirm that for me?

Thank you in advance for any assistance you can provide.
 

565bbchevy

Geezer
Aug 8, 2011
9,590
12,611
113
Michigan
The Dayco numbers you listed are for the Champion radiator with an Olds engine, I would look at replacement hoses for a 72 Monte with a BBC and cut the length down to fit just verify the end sizes before buying.
 

Bar50

Royal Smart Person
Jan 1, 2009
1,180
870
113
Tulsa, OK
Mine have used stock lower V8 Chevy hose and depending on the radiator inlet, a stock upper for a V8 Chevy, sometimes you have to shorten the upper hose an inch or so depending on your water outlet/thermostat housing.

Lower # 20687
Upper # 20980

CC162 Champion radiator 26.25 x 17

Mine is wearing Dodge Intrepid fans.

Bypass hose for the water pump is Gates 19670 or 20618 and Dayco 88387 or 70647

I use an inverted alternator bracket that flips it upside down on the same pivot bolt along with some billet pulleys from CVF racing, they are copies of the LS6 454 deep grooved versions found on GM high output cars. Now, no more belt slinging.
 

Mhael

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Jan 19, 2017
48
26
18
Mine have used stock lower V8 Chevy hose and depending on the radiator inlet, a stock upper for a V8 Chevy, sometimes you have to shorten the upper hose an inch or so depending on your water outlet/thermostat housing.

Lower # 20687
Upper # 20980

CC162 Champion radiator 26.25 x 17

Mine is wearing Dodge Intrepid fans.

Bypass hose for the water pump is Gates 19670 or 20618 and Dayco 88387 or 70647

I use an inverted alternator bracket that flips it upside down on the same pivot bolt along with some billet pulleys from CVF racing, they are copies of the LS6 454 deep grooved versions found on GM high output cars. Now, no more belt slinging.

I see that you are running the CC162 radiator, I was wondering how it's worked for you. I have the 2 row version EC162 that I got when I still had the 305...I doubt my bb is anywhere near the "cools up to 525hp" rating on the radiator box...but I am still curious if it is a sufficient cooling solution. I know the CC162 carries a 750hp rating.
 

Bar50

Royal Smart Person
Jan 1, 2009
1,180
870
113
Tulsa, OK
It's does okay with an iron headed big block and a HUGE (4000 foot brake) converter with a low gear (4.10) and street duty.

I mean, like it gets plenty hot here (Oklahoma) in the summer. I don't have any issues, have ran that setup now for the third time.

My overheating and temp issues were solved with the radiator and a set of deep groove pulleys (copies of LS6 454). It works great with a 195° thermostat and I run the Dodge Intrepid electric fans.

Hope that helps!
 
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Mhael

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Jan 19, 2017
48
26
18
Thats good to hear, thank you. I was thinking about just picking up some fans and the aluminum shroud from Champion, but I might check out those intrepid fans.
 
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Wageslave

Royal Smart Person
Jan 25, 2017
1,747
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I have had luck using an exhaust tubing adapter to connect different size hoses together. It worked for me on my Bonneville until I could find the correct hose.
 
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