I was wondering if there is anyway to use a non-LT1 radiator with an LT1 that does not have the extra fitting/hose that runs to the heads.

Most of the V8 swap radiators I find have the two large coolant hose hookups, and the 2 smaller tranny hookups, but no place for the 3rd small coolant hose.

Anyone have any suggestions?



You can see the line running just above the valve cover, then running behind the alternator, then disappears behind the p/s reservoir and you can see the fitting going into the radiator tank.

Almost looks like i could T in right by the water pump. You can see the bleeder valve there. I bet I could pull that bleeder valve out and buy a fitting that would thread into there and allow the rubber hose to be clamped on. I'd have to undo the clamp to bleed it, but i don't see that being a real problem - assuming what air is left in the tubeing above the head will work it's way out. I assume so since there is no bleeder for it in the current setup.

Would a radiator shop be able to weld in a fitting (it's an aluminum radiator)? Any idea of cost?

Does anyone know if these ideas would work correctly? It would make it alot easier for anyone trying to do an LT1 swap into any vehicle to just do that rather than finding a certain radiator. Also would clean up the front of the engine a bit by getting rid of another hose.

 

Take it to the shop and have a fitting installed.Ya don't want to run it without the air bleeds from the back of the head's hooked up.

 

Oh beleive me, I'm definatly going to hook them up somehow.

So it would not work to have the steam tubes "T"ed into the radiator hose or bleeder valve on the water neck?

I'm asking b/c I could do it myself, for fairly cheap, and it would clean up the front of the engine.

Any idea why this wouldn't work, or should I have the fitting welded to the radiator tank b/c that's the way GM designed it?

EDIT: Someone just pointed me to a "T" fitting that JagsThatRun sells specifically for LT1 swaps using a radiator without the steam tube fitting. Is there a reason I shouldn't go this route? JagsThatRun is very reputable and been around awhile - seems like they would know.

http://www.jagsthatrun.com/Pages/Par...rass-Tees.html

 

WP pressure would be forced up the small line trapping any air,instead of allowing it to get out..When it is attached to the rad it is free flow.

 

Yeah, i see what you are saying. Dang, now I don't know (BTW, check out my edit to previous post)

 

There is a reason the General put it in the rad. But ya could try the "T" in the upper hose,it might work.

 

There's a good article out there on rebuilding the LT1. Implies that there is a reservoir in the radiator end tank to separate the air from the coolant flowing from the heads. I never opend up a stock radiator.... I just bought a Griffen with the connection already on it.

http://www.automotiverebuilder.com/ar/ar99928.htm