radiator hoses for a LT1
 

I have installed a LT1 in a 1972 4x4. I would like to know how others with a LT1 have hooked up the radiator hoses since you have different size outlets on the water pump and stock radiator.
Mike

Personally I suggest geting an aluminum radiator to help cool it down a little. You can pick up a used camaro radiator pretty cheap if you look around. if you really want to use the radiator you have you can take the smaller of the two inlets, put the hose that fits on it over the inlet, cutthe hose flush with the inlet, then slide the bigger hose over the top of that hose. You might have to put some KY Jelly on it (Don't laugh, I keep some liquid KY in the toolbox, it works great and doesn't hurt anything). be ure and clamp it down tight and it will work just fine. That's how mine is setup on my engine, with a newer radiator.

For the bottom hose I went to a place that makes hoses. I bought an adapter that is 1 1/4" on one end and 1 3/4" on the other. Then I connected the hoses to the water inlet and the bottom of the radiator. You will have to shorten the two hoses to put the adapter in there. By the way I also put a T for the fitting/hoses to the back of the heads. I believe it is called a steam pipe. To elaborate, the T goes between the adapter and the water inlet on the front of the engine. Hope that makes sense. Kerry

Thanks for the responses. I have a brand new four core radiator so I don't think I will have cooling problems. Wootdog Did you put the tee for the steam vent in the lower or upper hose? Does it really matter where it dumps? On my Corvette it dumps in the radiator. I was planning to dump it in the top hose. What did you do with the upper hose to make it fit? Did you use the 1 1/4 hose and heat and stretch it over the top 1 1/2 radiator fitting? What hoses did you use to connect? did you just go to the parts store and pick and chose what looked right or did you ask for something specific? I tried some flex radiator hoses that had the two different sizes but they didn't work well at all.
Mike

Just a thought: Is it possible to weld on an exhaust type reducer? That's what I used when I did my rear gas tank conversion since the filler necks were different sizes.

Re: radiator hoses for a LT1
 

I just finished putting a Champion 3 row radiator in my 68 C10 with LT1 engine. The radiator hoses were a bit of a challenge but I finally got it figured out. The bottom hose is a Gates 21055 which 1.75 on the radiator side and 1.5” on the thermostat housing. It fit perfect with no trimming. The top hose is Gates #20607, which is 1.5” on both ends. The top hose required substantial shortening on both ends to fit right and I installed a sleeve in the middle with a 3/8 hose barb for the steam line.. Both these hoses need to be installed with a 1.25 to 1.5 sleeve adaptor on the water pump end. The Gates number on the adaptors is #263900.

Re: radiator hoses for a LT1
 

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Got pics? You sticking with the Opti-Spark or using some other type of ignition? What tranny?

I lived with an LT1 for over two decades so I'm curious.

-klb

Re: radiator hoses for a LT1
 

Assuming we're talking 92-96 LT1, you need to remember that it is reverse cooled.

Re: radiator hoses for a LT1
 

Bookmarked in case I get the itch to use one of my spares, thank you. :D

Re: radiator hoses for a LT1
 

I ditched the 20 year old fuel injection and went back to f barrel carb. GM Performance manifolds has a hole for the distributor and I chose a Pertornix Flamethrower II and matching coil. No more computer, no more Optispark.

Tranny is 700R4 with TV cable control.

Pictures attached.

Re: radiator hoses for a LT1
 

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Look at that...nice. It's a stout motor!

-klb

Re: radiator hoses for a LT1
 

Nice

Re: radiator hoses for a LT1
 

Thank you for sharing these photographs. I realize this is an older thread, but I am swapping the same engine into my 1972 K/5. What did you do for power steering hoses?

Re: radiator hoses for a LT1
 

Which LT1 version are you using? I believe the power steering pump locations differ between Corvette, F & B bodies.