I'm finishing up a 383 build and was thinking about getting rid of those stock steel tubes running from the heads to the radiator (return lines). They are kind of a biatch to get on and my banjo bolt gaskets are shot. I believe there could be an easier alternative. What about just using a quality braided hose with an elbow on drivers head and a t on passenger? Anyone done this? Thanks for any ideas.

 

Worse comes to worse, you could just use a pair of hose clamps and a short line of hose. A braided hose would look nice, but who peeks back there?

 

I have a set of braided lines for the crossover tube. I had them made to length at a local fitting shop. 90 degree elbow on driver's side, T on passenger side SS braided lines between and after the T and I routed it alongside the manifold. It worked fine.