New guy with 52 AD project.

[ratrodmiller]

Did you end up going with a ls1 oilpan? I had to my truck was kickstanding on that truck oilpan!
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[52 Rat]

Originally Posted by ratrodmiller

Did you end up going with a ls1 oilpan? I had to my truck was kickstanding on that truck oilpan!
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Well I'm a bit frustrated with the build today. I made three trips to the parts house today trying to make a lower radiator hose work. No luck finding a hose to fit. I even tried a universal flex hose. The radiator is so close to the water neck on the thermostat housing. I'm open for suggestions. I will post some pics later.

[derail]

I like to bend a coat hanger to the shape I need and take it with me to the parts house. Usually they'll let you come around the counter and look at what they've got to see if you can find one with similar bends. Even if the bends that you need are in the middle of a hose, you could always just cut the ends off.

[BlueJeep]

Originally Posted by 52 Rat

Well I'm a bit frustrated with the build today. I made three trips to the parts house today trying to make a lower radiator hose work. No luck finding a hose to fit. I even tried a universal flex hose. The radiator is so close to the water neck on the thermostat housing. I'm open for suggestions. I will post some pics later.

Try cutting up some exhaust "U" bends in the size you need, then use rubber to connect to the radiator and to the motor. I did this on mine when the bend was too tight for the flex hose, worked great.

[52 Rat]

The lower hose angles are sharp and short. The water neck needs to be pointing down. This way I could go with a short 90 degree hose. I'm searching for a LS series water necks that may offer different outlet locations.

[jtwilson]

i like all of it chief

[Rude Dude]

I go to lowes or home depot and buy small rigid duct stuff and use it for mock up for hoses then take it to auto parts store to match curves

[52 Rat]

I put my thinking cap on today and came up with a solution to my lower rad hose issue. I removed the water neck and rotated it down. Since the LS style water neck is flat across the surface and uses a O ring to seal, it can be clocked to another position. I will make two aluminum tabs/clamps to spread the pressure across the water neck to create a good seal. I spent an hour in the parts house today looking for a hose with the correct bends. I found a hose that worked and only used a small section of the hose.