LS Steam tube routing - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Gord67 · 03-09-2015, 10:16 PM

I've been doing some googling on the best way to re-route the steam tube on a LS swap and someone said to drill and tap the thermostat cover and hook the tube there..?? Has anyone else ever heard of this ?? Any other suggestions ? It seems like the majority drill and tap the water pump...!!

Heavymetl · 03-10-2015, 12:16 AM

Indeed, drill and tap the water pump is one of several solutions.

You can also use a later model radiator with the steam tube inlet (and correct size hoses to match the smaller LS inlet/outlet), or weld in a port on the radiator side tanks.

For my C10 LS swap, I used an F-body water pump and Dirty Dingo spacers that already included a tapped fitting for the steam line.

hotrodsinner · 03-10-2015, 01:30 AM

You could also use the dorman fitting that ties into the 3/4" heater hose. Easy and cheap.

**70cst** · 03-10-2015, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gord67

I've been doing some googling on the best way to re-route the steam tube on a LS swap and someone said to drill and tap the thermostat cover and hook the tube there..?? Has anyone else ever heard of this ?? Any other suggestions ? It seems like the majority drill and tap the water pump...!!

What year is your truck ....

88Ironduke · 03-10-2015, 11:50 AM

On another project LS we plumbed the steam vent right into the top radiator hose via inline sensor adapter in the hose, add a 90' fitting to clean up the vent hose, two spiffy looking clamps and it works as advertised. We looked at the options and our water pump housing on our 5.3 had the integrated thermostat assembly from the factory (poor design) so if we drilled and tapped the housing would not be a salvageable core in the event it had to be pulled.

Paul

hotrodsinner · 03-10-2015, 12:51 PM

Dorman part #47112. Splices into youre 3/4" heater hose line and has a 1/4" hose barb for the steam line. Works and is the easiest solution.

cooperhw · 03-10-2015, 01:55 PM

I drilled an 1/8" pipe size hole right in the top of the water pump below the hose. Then tapped it to accept a brass fitting that was 1/8" male pipe thread on one side and barbed end on the other (got it at Ace hardware). Then you take the line coming out of the drivers side head and attach it to the barb. Simple.
I have a late model (new) radiator that has a port for this hose and still did this as it cleans it up a bit.
Oh yeah, it's in a 67 Chevelle if that matters.

Liltroy · 08-20-2017, 07:53 PM

Old thread but new video explanation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=curX7m9BPeg
Posted via Mobile Device

**Accelo** · 01-12-2024, 09:20 PM

From the Dorman site; Heater Hose Connectors - 3/4 In. X 3/8 In. X 3/4 In. Tee - Plastic
The vent hose is smaller than the 3/8" stub end, isn't it?

One I found on Amazon. It doesn't give the stub end diameter but in the comments it's listed as excellent for LS conversions.
It is also metal not plastic like the Dorman part. It is also slightly more expensive at $18.24.

https://www.amazon.com/Four-Seasons-...e%2C159&sr=1-1

03-09-2015, 10:16 PM	#1
Gord67 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Edmonton, AB Posts: 21	LS Steam tube routing I've been doing some googling on the best way to re-route the steam tube on a LS swap and someone said to drill and tap the thermostat cover and hook the tube there..?? Has anyone else ever heard of this ?? Any other suggestions ? It seems like the majority drill and tap the water pump...!!

03-10-2015, 12:16 AM	#2
Heavymetl Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Southern Ohio Posts: 292	Re: LS Steam tube routing Indeed, drill and tap the water pump is one of several solutions. You can also use a later model radiator with the steam tube inlet (and correct size hoses to match the smaller LS inlet/outlet), or weld in a port on the radiator side tanks. For my C10 LS swap, I used an F-body water pump and Dirty Dingo spacers that already included a tapped fitting for the steam line.

03-10-2015, 01:30 AM	#3
hotrodsinner Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Hanford,ca Posts: 193	Re: LS Steam tube routing You could also use the dorman fitting that ties into the 3/4" heater hose. Easy and cheap.

03-10-2015, 11:50 AM	#5
88Ironduke Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Willingboro, NJ Posts: 489	Re: LS Steam tube routing On another project LS we plumbed the steam vent right into the top radiator hose via inline sensor adapter in the hose, add a 90' fitting to clean up the vent hose, two spiffy looking clamps and it works as advertised. We looked at the options and our water pump housing on our 5.3 had the integrated thermostat assembly from the factory (poor design) so if we drilled and tapped the housing would not be a salvageable core in the event it had to be pulled. Paul __________________ Retired USAF - No rockets, no mortars, no bad guys shooting...No stress!!! My Build Thread: Project 72' Green http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=587932

03-10-2015, 12:51 PM	#6
hotrodsinner Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Hanford,ca Posts: 193	Re: LS Steam tube routing Dorman part #47112. Splices into youre 3/4" heater hose line and has a 1/4" hose barb for the steam line. Works and is the easiest solution.

03-10-2015, 01:55 PM	#7
cooperhw Registered User Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Mesa AZ (Near Phoenix) Posts: 2,302	Re: LS Steam tube routing I drilled an 1/8" pipe size hole right in the top of the water pump below the hose. Then tapped it to accept a brass fitting that was 1/8" male pipe thread on one side and barbed end on the other (got it at Ace hardware). Then you take the line coming out of the drivers side head and attach it to the barb. Simple. I have a late model (new) radiator that has a port for this hose and still did this as it cleans it up a bit. Oh yeah, it's in a 67 Chevelle if that matters. __________________ "Life is too short to drive a boring vehicle". Later, Wayne

08-20-2017, 07:53 PM	#8
Liltroy Registered User Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Knoxville,Tn Posts: 506	Re: LS Steam tube routing Old thread but new video explanation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=curX7m9BPeg Posted via Mobile Device

01-12-2024, 09:20 PM	#9
Accelo Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: washington Posts: 2,281	Re: LS Steam tube routing From the Dorman site; Heater Hose Connectors - 3/4 In. X 3/8 In. X 3/4 In. Tee - Plastic The vent hose is smaller than the 3/8" stub end, isn't it? One I found on Amazon. It doesn't give the stub end diameter but in the comments it's listed as excellent for LS conversions. It is also metal not plastic like the Dorman part. It is also slightly more expensive at $18.24. https://www.amazon.com/Four-Seasons-...e%2C159&sr=1-1 Last edited by Accelo; 01-13-2024 at 02:01 PM.



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