Lower Radiator Hose Part Number

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   Summary
If you have a 1970 Torino with an aftermarket radiator and you want a replacement molded lower hose, then you will need one for a 1971 model. The auto parts stores/online retailers do not have this information as a footnote, so I hope this will save you the trouble that I went through. The details below are specific to the 351C and 302 motors with the 26" wide radiator (A/C or "Extra Cooling" package), but all other options are also affected by the 70-to-71 change in the radiator outlet diameter. All references within this post are as-of March 2023.

Part Numbers that will fit
Continental/Dayco E70729
25" cut to fit - $12 at Autozone, Advance
Listed as Dayco but mine came with a Continental sticker
I cut about 1-1/2" off the radiator side to get full coverage of the necks when installed
Continental 60865
25" cut to fit - $32 at Summit

Unverified Fitment - Part Numbers
MasterPro 20697
22.3" - $14 @ O'Reilly
Gates 20697
22.3 " - $21 @ RockAuto, $47 @ O'Reilly, $73 at Jeg's (WHAT THE...)
Dayco 70729
18.5" trunk height - $14 @ RockAuto, $17 @ Summit
Maybe the same as E70729?
ACDelco 22057M
22.3" - $30 @ RockAuto
NAPA 7465
22.3" - $52 @ NAPA
The Problems
In 1970, Ford produced radiators with 1-3/4" diameter inlet and outlet necks. In 1971, the lower outlet changed to 1-1/2" while the water pump inlet remained at 1-3/4". Naturally, this change required a hose with different diameter ends (or some really good clamps). Reference the Ford catalog below. (Note the 1971 351 lists the water pump end as 1-1/4" but may be a typo; also irrelevant with aftermarket pumps).

Next comes the radiator. Due to the popularity and interchangeability of the 71-73 Mustang, an aftermarket radiator for a 70-71 Torino will almost always be designed for the Mustang. At the least, this means that the radiator listed for a 1970 Torino at any parts store will have outlet neck that is 1-1/2", NOT 1-3/4". So you would think that their catalog for lower radiator hoses would also list ones for a 1971 in order to fit their aftermarket radiators? Wrong! The hoses listed expect you to have the OEM radiator, which will have a 1/4" larger outlet diameter.

That's all fine, but the lengths of the 1970 hoses are advertised (up to) an inch shorter than the 1971 hoses. They do not make the "cut to fit" versions, who knows why. I personally had bought the Continental 60731 which was the longest of the hoses listed, being 22". It didn't work. The hose barely sits on the necks, and installing any further just pulls against the PS pump belt. The length difference was also more than an inch when comparing with my old one.

But I do have an OEM radiator
So if you do have an OEM radiator (1-3/4" I.D. radiator outlet), I believe the following hoses for a 1970 302/351C will end up being short as they all advertise between 21 and 22 inches. I wasn't willing to buy any of these since I had realized I needed a 71 hose:
Gates 20674
NAPA 7452
Continental 60731
ACDelco 22056M 
Dayco 70638 (16.75" trunk height)
The Gates 26612 flex hose may be your best bet at 23" (and for quality-wise).

Disclaimer
Since I do not have the OEM radiator, I am unable to verify if the outlet is longer which would account for the shorter hose length. But to make matters more confusing, Ford listed that the lower hose length for 1970 was more than 2" longer than a 1971 hose, so something is amiss. Perhaps they found out they didn't need as large of a turn?

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dan0R30 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 30-June-2020 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 637	Post Options Post Reply Quote dan0R30 Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Topic: Lower Radiator Hose Part Number Posted: 26-March-2023 at 3:00PM
	Summary If you have a 1970 Torino with an aftermarket radiator and you want a replacement molded lower hose, then you will need one for a 1971 model. The auto parts stores/online retailers do not have this information as a footnote, so I hope this will save you the trouble that I went through. The details below are specific to the 351C and 302 motors with the 26" wide radiator (A/C or "Extra Cooling" package), but all other options are also affected by the 70-to-71 change in the radiator outlet diameter. All references within this post are as-of March 2023. Part Numbers that will fit Continental/Dayco E70729 25" cut to fit - $12 at Autozone, Advance Listed as Dayco but mine came with a Continental sticker I cut about 1-1/2" off the radiator side to get full coverage of the necks when installed Continental 60865 25" cut to fit - $32 at Summit Unverified Fitment - Part Numbers MasterPro 20697 22.3" - $14 @ O'Reilly Gates 20697 22.3 " - $21 @ RockAuto, $47 @ O'Reilly, $73 at Jeg's (WHAT THE...) Dayco 70729 18.5" trunk height - $14 @ RockAuto, $17 @ Summit Maybe the same as E70729? ACDelco 22057M 22.3" - $30 @ RockAuto NAPA 7465 22.3" - $52 @ NAPA The Problems In 1970, Ford produced radiators with 1-3/4" diameter inlet and outlet necks. In 1971, the lower outlet changed to 1-1/2" while the water pump inlet remained at 1-3/4". Naturally, this change required a hose with different diameter ends (or some really good clamps). Reference the Ford catalog below. (Note the 1971 351 lists the water pump end as 1-1/4" but may be a typo; also irrelevant with aftermarket pumps). Next comes the radiator. Due to the popularity and interchangeability of the 71-73 Mustang, an aftermarket radiator for a 70-71 Torino will almost always be designed for the Mustang. At the least, this means that the radiator listed for a 1970 Torino at any parts store will have outlet neck that is 1-1/2", NOT 1-3/4". So you would think that their catalog for lower radiator hoses would also list ones for a 1971 in order to fit their aftermarket radiators? Wrong! The hoses listed expect you to have the OEM radiator, which will have a 1/4" larger outlet diameter. That's all fine, but the lengths of the 1970 hoses are advertised (up to) an inch shorter than the 1971 hoses. They do not make the "cut to fit" versions, who knows why. I personally had bought the Continental 60731 which was the longest of the hoses listed, being 22". It didn't work. The hose barely sits on the necks, and installing any further just pulls against the PS pump belt. The length difference was also more than an inch when comparing with my old one. But I do have an OEM radiator So if you do have an OEM radiator (1-3/4" I.D. radiator outlet), I believe the following hoses for a 1970 302/351C will end up being short as they all advertise between 21 and 22 inches. I wasn't willing to buy any of these since I had realized I needed a 71 hose: Gates 20674 NAPA 7452 Continental 60731 ACDelco 22056M Dayco 70638 (16.75" trunk height) The Gates 26612 flex hose may be your best bet at 23" (and for quality-wise). Disclaimer Since I do not have the OEM radiator, I am unable to verify if the outlet is longer which would account for the shorter hose length. But to make matters more confusing, Ford listed that the lower hose length for 1970 was more than 2" longer than a 1971 hose, so something is amiss. Perhaps they found out they didn't need as large of a turn?
	Dan 1970 Ford Torino hardtop - 351C 4V - FMX - 9" 3.89 TrueTrac

JRANGER Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 05-April-2022 Location: TN Status: Offline Points: 129	Post Options Post Reply Quote JRANGER Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 21-June-2023 at 1:32AM
	Gates 20697 fits but you have to pull it down about a 1/4" on the water neck or it will rub on your belt. Ask me how I know? I switched to the continental and cut it to fit. Much better IMO
	71 Torino GT 351C 2v Auto