Radiator Hoses

[Mayhem]

I just wanted to throw this out there since I am dealing with it. Apparently nobody makes the correct lower radiator hose for a Nova.

The upper one was correct, but I have gone through 2 different ones, and neither were close enough to even make work.

It initially had the ugly flex hose on it, and now after reading multiple other forum sites, I know why.

Everyone seems to have had the same issue, and ended up just using the ugly flex hose. Granted, it is one of the very few left that has the coiled spring in it for anti-collapse.

That is the preferred benefit, but man, I hate that ugly hose (if you couldn't already tell).

[Mayhem]

OK, after 4 trips to the parts house!!!! I have finally found a lower radiator hose that works. It was slightly complicated as this is for
the 71 Nova,
with a 1980 Corvette L82 350,
with a Griffin radiator.

The winner is: a Dayco 81331 Flex hose.

I tried a couple of formed hoses with no luck. It then took a couple more tries to get the one that was the right length and hose diameter to get to this one.

It's amazing! The "simplest projects....."

So now you have it. I gathered from other forums that most year Novas have this same issue, regardless of radiator.
They just don't seem to make the right lower one any more.

BTW, it holds just under 2 gallons.