Heater Hose questions

Hey everyone,

I'm sure this has been covered before but could you guys post some pictures or examples of what you've done to solve the mess of heater hoses on your LT1 car? My 94 Roadmaster's hoses are all original and the other day my reducer broke that limits the flow into the heater core. I don't want to start up another debate on if that piece is needed or not, what I'm mainly concerned about is what should be done about the 90* bends in front of the motor and the "T" that goes over to the expansion tank. I thought about replacing the "T" with a brass fitting and just using bulk heater hose for the rest, but I'm not sure it can make those extreme bends.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks guys,
Collin

The newer hose material today is a lot better than what you could buy 20 years ago, but I still wouldn't try to make one of them bend in a position that they don't want to go. Doing that used to mean premature failure. Even those corrugated looking bendable hoses didn't last very long. If your auto parts guy will let you go back into the area where they have their hoses stored, look for molded ones that will match the 90 degree bends on your old hoses, and just cut off the unneeded excess.
Regarding the flow restrictor, the last time I looked, Rockauto had them for sale.

^^^great advice. I had to do that with my Austin Healey. Found longer hoses with the proper molded corners and chopped off what I didn't need.

They are harder to come by these days, but a set of 9C1 silicone hoses would solve your problem once and for all... there are the other silicone High Miler hoses (forget who makes them) and they come in colors, so you can use them to dress up under the hood if you are into that sort of thing.

that said a set of the OE green hoses can be had at the JY for about a buck each if you can find them. Usually, by the time I get there, they have been cut by whomever took the LT1 out.

Samco makes the colored LT1 hoses.

Other than the fact that they last forever, I love the fact that the silicone hoses never stick to anything. Loosen the clamp and they just slide right off.

Goodyear makes a complete set of hoses for our LT1 cars. Only thing I don't care for is the blue color.

Personally I like the color not that it really matters since the hood is usually closed!

not sure what the impact is for....

are they sold in a set, or is it "buy it one piece at a time" kinda deal?

It was my new toy for tightening hose clamps. It is rated at 450 ft lbs of torque . It just happened to come the same day as the hoses.

They are sold as a set for about $100.00, don't know if you can get individually.

450 ft/lbs for a 1/4" impact?


Model number? <_<

I think it's 3/8"... You'd be amazed at how much power those little things put out.
I bought a DeWalt 18 volt, 1/2" drive mini-impact several years ago that isn't any bigger than a beer can. It'll fit most anywhere & puts out well over 100 ft/lbs of oomph.

Stingroo wrote:

450 ft/lbs for a 1/4" impact?


Model number? <_<

Here is the link to it on Amazon.

jimbeau wrote:

I think it's 3/8"... You'd be amazed at how much power those little things put out.
I bought a DeWalt 18 volt, 1/2" drive mini-impact several years ago that isn't any bigger than a beer can. It'll fit most anywhere & puts out well over 100 ft/lbs of oomph.

Jim you should know its a 1/2" drive since you were there when Cory used it to change the tire after he burned it down at the Bash.

I deliberately didn't go over and fondle the thing, because I knew that I would then want to possess one. Like I need MORE tools.

Also, you must learn that just because I'm standing up, and seem coherent, I'm not necessarily "plugged in" to what is going on. If John hadn't mixed me up that 'cocktail', I would have been horizontal in short order. I have somewhere around 10% of the energy I used to have.
But... I have a pulse, and a strong desire to live long enough to be a complete burden to society. Pay up, children!

Wow. Doesn't look like a 1/2" from the pic. Tiny.

Pretty sweet.

Thanks for the tips guys, does anyone have the Goodyear part number? I wouldn't be opposed to spending that to get all new hoses.

Thanks in advance,
Collin

I got mine from Summit, just looked for it as a Impala SS.

I see you are from Des Moines my daughter worked at the state senate there for most of the year. Her birthday is the 27th and I plan on meeting up with her that weekend in Davenport where my mother and sister live.

Here is the listing.

Ancient_1 wrote:

Goodyear makes a complete set of hoses for our LT1 cars. Only thing I don't care for is the blue color.

I put mine in sleeves

I like those fittings on yours, Tim.

Cheap aluminum covers. Going to remove soon and go a different direction.

BTW..... JAYSS makes the plastic restriction part in Billet aluminum. Nice piece!!

Ancient_1 wrote:

I got mine from Summit, just looked for it as a Impala SS.

I see you are from Des Moines my daughter worked at the state senate there for most of the year. Her birthday is the 27th and I plan on meeting up with her that weekend in Davenport where my mother and sister live.

Here is the listing.

Great, that is definitely on my list of things to get. If you ever make it as far over as Des Moines, let's meet up, I haven't met any members from this board yet.

BigBlackBeaSSt wrote:

Ancient_1 wrote:

Goodyear makes a complete set of hoses for our LT1 cars. Only thing I don't care for is the blue color.

I put mine in sleeves

I like the blue color and will probably leave them out but yours look fantastic!

BigBlackBeaSSt wrote:

Cheap aluminum covers. Going to remove soon and go a different direction.

BTW..... JAYSS makes the plastic restriction part in Billet aluminum. Nice piece!!

Is JAYSS a member on here or ISSF? I would love to purchase one of his rather than a cheap plastic piece.

I bet that restrictor part that Jay makes is a beautiful piece of work!

It is a nice piece and yes Jay is a forum member. Won WagonFest Waterloo peoples choice last year. Send him a note. While you are doing the coolant system I sell the bleeder valves as well if you are interested.

You mean this one?

They are going to be sold on-line for about 25.00 plus whatever shipping & Paypal works out to. That should compare quite favorably with what GM is getting for the replacement units. I will have several available @ Wagonfest for your inspection. If anyone wants one right away, they may be purchased there for an introductory price of $25.00 each while supplies last.






https://gmlongroof.4umer.com/t3987p20-wagonfest-2011-parts-for-sale-wanted-trade-thread#40836

Since we're posting pics, this looks like a good time to post up my "covered with huge heat shrink tubing" restrictor. Shortly after I bought my ride, the piece on the car literally crumbled in my hand when I was trying to wrestle with it, so I figured clamping some shrink on the new one might help hold it together as it aged.