[K.Wilson]

Your experience sounds almost exactly like the first time I fired-up my FE ten years ago. I too blew off the lower hose from the metal tube I had bent at the muffler shop. I fixed the problem by taking the tube off and taking it to a sheet metal shop that had a Bead Roller. They rolled a Bead on each end of the tube about one forth inch from each end, that way the clamp has something to grip against. I would not be concerned about the fluid level in the tank as it will find it's own level after the engine has been to temperature a few times. Then just make a mental note of where it should be when cold, (mine is about one forth inch below the baffle), and keep it topped off to that level in the future. I would however "bleed" the system at the temp sender as it seems there is always an air pocket there after the cooling system is filled.
Glad your first start was such a success, as you can see by other posts in this Forum others have had a somewhat more difficult experience.

Keith