So I ended up just buying a rubber lower hose. This time I took furyus2's advice and only ran water. Got up to temp cooling fans kicked in and stayed between 185 and 195. Very exciting to hear this little monster bark.
I'm coming up on that moment before long here also.
My car runs now with a mostly stock 318 but I have a 5.9 with EQ Magnum heads and a nice cam coming for it, and I'm already getting exited to hear it run.
My Daughter said she's pretty sure she'll see me sitting out in the driveway in a chair just listening to the car idling.:D