302 Radiator & Hoses

[Chasbod]

So when I tore down my project truck 3 years ago I tossed the old radiator since it was leaking and figured I would just pick up a new one when I was ready. Now that I"m ready it seems with each passing year it gets harder to get the right parts for our trucks. When searching online, there is a Distinct Difference between 1971 & 1972 when trying to find the right hoses. A 302 has 1 1/2" upper outlet and 1 3/4" inlet on the water pump. If you go to Gates website, for 1971 they only show the single diameter 1 1/2" upper and single diameter 1 3/4" lower hoses. The radiator guy tells me the stock radiators have 1 3/4" upper inlet and 2" lower outlet. So the hoses don't match up and the radiator guy is confused. They make radiators with matching diameters but then the core sizes aren't the same. So I switch to 1972 on Gates website and voila, they list the dual diameter hoses which have 1 1/2" x 1 3/4" upper and 1 3/4" x 2" lower which works with the standard radiators having 19 1/4" x 26 1/4" core sizes. Just not sure why the 71 & 72 listings are different. I saw the same thing at O'Reilly's as well.

BTW, here are RockAuto's prices:
GATES 21053 Radiator Lower Hose $ 11.28 $ 0.00 1 $ 11.28
GATES 20860 Radiator Upper Hose $ 7.79 $ 0.00 1 $ 7.79

[Subzero]

I too needed to replace my radiator, I just bought the hoses from Oriellys not sure if they will fit as I haven't got my truck together quite yet. I did notice that my 1968 360 radiator and my 1972 302 radiator are the exact same one, atleast on the trucks I ended up with. I couldn't find a metal style radiator so mines currently being refurbished at a shop.