Need Advice with Leaky Rad Connector - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**Already Gone** · 07-04-2014, 06:24 PM

I don't know what you call the chrome piece in the pic but it the connector from the upper rad hose to the intake manifold. The chrome connector was on the truck when I bought it and has been seeping for a few years but got real bad the last little while so I drained the antifreeze cleaned everything up put on a new gasket and even put in a new thermostat because it was open. My first question is did I do it right. I put black RV silicone on the intake flange (and let it all dry for 24 hours ) and on the chrome housing and also put a new gasket in as well. I even Loc Tited the bolt and somehow they don't seem right to me for this application. Now my second question is this chrome piece had Taiwan stamped inside it and we all know the quality of some 0f the off shore stuff isn't the best. Would I be better to get an original cast/steel connector to seal this up or diid I do something wrong when fixing. The two wet marks are the leaks after the truck was running for 2 minutes.

notsolo · 07-04-2014, 07:34 PM

The Thermostat housing looks OK, I would check the bottom with a strait edge and make sure it's flat. ( if its not file it flat ) Clean surfaces and install thermostat, RTV on both sides of new gasket, tighten it down. Let it dry over night, install hose.

**truckster** · 07-04-2014, 07:41 PM

I personally don't like RTV on a cooling system. I coat both sides of the gasket with aviation gasket sealer (available at auto parts stores). If you can't find that, super weatherstrip adhesive works well too.

davepl · 07-04-2014, 07:47 PM

Conversely I now use only RTV and no gasket. If it were me I'd toss the Chinese Chrome unit and get a normal one, but there's no reason it can't work.

Long shot, but it happened to me once: some gaskets have an adhesive backing, which of course you have to peel off. If you don't know about it and fail to remove it, water comes through where the peel-off sheet is.

Not sure how hard they are to find, but if I had my druthers I'd get a cast iron one with an o-ring built into it.

davepl · 07-04-2014, 07:50 PM

I took a look: GM makes an o-ring one in chrome and a gasket one in cast. Couldn't find an o-ring one in cast.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/na...2024/overview/

**Already Gone** · 07-05-2014, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notsolo

The Thermostat housing looks OK, I would check the bottom with a strait edge and make sure it's flat. ( if its not file it flat ) Clean surfaces and install thermostat, RTV on both sides of new gasket, tighten it down. Let it dry over night, install hose.

That is exactly what I did and I even cleaned the bottom of the housing with the wire wheel.

**Already Gone** · 07-05-2014, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davepl

I took a look: GM makes an o-ring one in chrome and a gasket one in cast. Couldn't find an o-ring one in cast.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/na...2024/overview/

The chrome one I have in the picture has the o-ring.

69chevytrucker · 07-05-2014, 01:37 AM

by the way it called thermostat housing or gooseneck

**Already Gone** · 07-05-2014, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 69chevytrucker

by the way it called thermostat housing or gooseneck

Thank you.

Katrina/10 · 07-05-2014, 08:44 AM

The chrome ones are junk. Throw it away and get an original style housing. You'll be much happier.

kcsa75 · 07-05-2014, 04:04 PM

I bought one of these from Specialty Retail (Fred) and had the same problem.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=632931

I bought a new gasket that was thicker than the paper gasket that came with it. Used RTV and haven't had a problem since.

**Already Gone** · 07-05-2014, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katrina/10

The chrome ones are junk. Throw it away and get an original style housing. You'll be much happier.

That is what I'm thinking. Now all I gotta do is go find someone with a pooched engine that I can get one from.

imjeff · 07-05-2014, 05:03 PM

Get a cast iron casting and a Fel-Pro 35562T gasket. They are reusable, won't leak, don't need silicone and are quite possibly the best thing since canned Coors. I may have overstated that, but it will fix your problem.

Jeff

imjeff · 07-05-2014, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Already Gone

That is what I'm thinking. Now all I gotta do is go find someone with a pooched engine that I can get one from.

They are commonly available. Try Rock Auto for the gasket and the thermostat housing and you'll save a few $.

Sillyoldman · 07-05-2014, 05:35 PM

I think I'd try some Right-Stuff on it before I'd chuck the thermostat housing.

**Already Gone** · 07-05-2014, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sillyoldman

I think I'd try some Right-Stuff on it before I'd chuck the thermostat housing.

What is "Right-Stuff"? I figure is some kind of sealer but I've never heard of it.

**WIDESIDE72** · 07-05-2014, 06:21 PM

If you have an o ring housing, you should not need any other gasket. That is the whole poi t to the o ring. Sounds like time for a new t stat housing. If the face of the thermostat housing or the mAnifold is not flat, use a file to get it evened out.

imjeff · 07-05-2014, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Already Gone

What is "Right-Stuff"? I figure is some kind of sealer but I've never heard of it.

Its a $20 tube of one minute gasket maker to save a warped $8 thermostat housing. Made by Permatex.

Sillyoldman · 07-05-2014, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Already Gone

What is "Right-Stuff"? I figure is some kind of sealer but I've never heard of it.

It's a multi purpose sealant that I keep on the shelf. It's good to keep around for a variety of applications.

Hawghauler · 07-06-2014, 10:57 AM

The chrome ones are always warped. I don't know if it's the process, or if it's just junk before it's chromed. They almost all leak. You could lay out a sheet of sand paper, then flatten the gasket surface, then install as before.

**Already Gone** · 07-29-2014, 09:51 PM

Okay, so I got a new original thermostat housing ( from board member "Specialty Retail" ) and I I bought the Fel-Pro gasket with the O ring in it and I got some "Right Stuff " from Napa. I figured I'd get the proper torque specs for the housing bolts so went into my Factory 1970 Chevrolet truck service manual to fund the torque specs. As you can see in the pic it only lists torque specs fro the 6 cylinder engine. So do yiou just Wing It with V8's?

volksworld · 07-30-2014, 08:47 AM

its a 3/8 bolt into cast iron...so same torque specs apply....dont think i've ever met anyone who actually torqued one in the last 40 years...just make sure the bolts are the correct length and dont bottom out in the holes or jam up when they hit a rusted area or they'll tighten up and the housing will still be loose

07-04-2014, 06:24 PM	#1
Already Gone 70+ ( Old Skool Club ) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan ,Canada Posts: 9,115	Need Advice with Leaky Rad Connector I don't know what you call the chrome piece in the pic but it the connector from the upper rad hose to the intake manifold. The chrome connector was on the truck when I bought it and has been seeping for a few years but got real bad the last little while so I drained the antifreeze cleaned everything up put on a new gasket and even put in a new thermostat because it was open. My first question is did I do it right. I put black RV silicone on the intake flange (and let it all dry for 24 hours ) and on the chrome housing and also put a new gasket in as well. I even Loc Tited the bolt and somehow they don't seem right to me for this application. Now my second question is this chrome piece had Taiwan stamped inside it and we all know the quality of some 0f the off shore stuff isn't the best. Would I be better to get an original cast/steel connector to seal this up or diid I do something wrong when fixing. The two wet marks are the leaks after the truck was running for 2 minutes. Attached Images __________________ 1972 C10 Custom/Deluxe 613 Highlander 406/700R4 1999 White Tahoe LS 4x2 with Z56 Police Package 1992 K1500 GMC Suburban Members I have personally met: MusicMan70 - HeavyD - ChewyChevy67 - StingRay -71SWB4x4 - 67 Burb - DeadheadNM - too much stuff - bc65 - das601 " Circumsatances Do Not Change Responsibility " " The Sky is not the Limit, Your Mind is." Marilyn Monroe .. RIP Charlie Watts 1941 - 2021

07-04-2014, 07:34 PM	#2
notsolo Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Md Posts: 2,471	Re: Need Advice with Leaky Rad Connector The Thermostat housing looks OK, I would check the bottom with a strait edge and make sure it's flat. ( if its not file it flat ) Clean surfaces and install thermostat, RTV on both sides of new gasket, tighten it down. Let it dry over night, install hose.

07-04-2014, 07:41 PM	#3
truckster Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 7,901	Re: Need Advice with Leaky Rad Connector I personally don't like RTV on a cooling system. I coat both sides of the gasket with aviation gasket sealer (available at auto parts stores). If you can't find that, super weatherstrip adhesive works well too.

07-04-2014, 07:47 PM	#4
davepl Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Redmond, WA Posts: 6,332	Re: Need Advice with Leaky Rad Connector Conversely I now use only RTV and no gasket. If it were me I'd toss the Chinese Chrome unit and get a normal one, but there's no reason it can't work. Long shot, but it happened to me once: some gaskets have an adhesive backing, which of course you have to peel off. If you don't know about it and fail to remove it, water comes through where the peel-off sheet is. Not sure how hard they are to find, but if I had my druthers I'd get a cast iron one with an o-ring built into it. __________________ 1970 GMC Sierra Grande Custom Camper - Built, not Bought 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Coupe 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Convertible

07-04-2014, 07:50 PM	#5
davepl Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Redmond, WA Posts: 6,332	Re: Need Advice with Leaky Rad Connector I took a look: GM makes an o-ring one in chrome and a gasket one in cast. Couldn't find an o-ring one in cast. http://www.summitracing.com/parts/na...2024/overview/ __________________ 1970 GMC Sierra Grande Custom Camper - Built, not Bought 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Coupe 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Convertible

07-05-2014, 01:37 AM	#8
69chevytrucker Registered User Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: calgary alberta Posts: 1,248	Re: Need Advice with Leaky Rad Connector by the way it called thermostat housing or gooseneck

07-05-2014, 08:44 AM	#10
Katrina/10 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Ocean Springs, MS Posts: 1,746	Re: Need Advice with Leaky Rad Connector The chrome ones are junk. Throw it away and get an original style housing. You'll be much happier. __________________ Gary 1971 Chevrolet C/10 1951 GMC 100 1977 GMC C15 1955 Chevrolet 3100

07-05-2014, 04:04 PM	#11
kcsa75 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Kansas City Posts: 3,590	Re: Need Advice with Leaky Rad Connector I bought one of these from Specialty Retail (Fred) and had the same problem. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=632931 I bought a new gasket that was thicker than the paper gasket that came with it. Used RTV and haven't had a problem since. __________________ Willie Swamp Angel Truckers '72 C10 Highlander *People who blindly follow a GPS end up on television programs on The Weather Channel. Some survive, some don't.*

07-05-2014, 05:03 PM	#13
imjeff Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Tacoma Washington Posts: 890	Re: Need Advice with Leaky Rad Connector Get a cast iron casting and a Fel-Pro 35562T gasket. They are reusable, won't leak, don't need silicone and are quite possibly the best thing since canned Coors. I may have overstated that, but it will fix your problem. Jeff __________________ I know a guy who's addicted to brake fluid. He says he can stop any time. 72 K10 396 75 Cj5 MPI 350 Chev 67 Chevelle 396, 4 speed 74 FXE 08 Tahoe

07-05-2014, 05:35 PM	#15
Sillyoldman #16876 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Auburn WA Posts: 12,266	Re: Need Advice with Leaky Rad Connector I think I'd try some Right-Stuff on it before I'd chuck the thermostat housing. __________________ Posted via Stationary Device '71 Custom Deluxe C-20 402. '67 Buick Special 455. '49 Plymouth Special Deluxe. *"I love that old car smell"* *Some people are like Slinkies... not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.*

07-05-2014, 06:21 PM	#17
WIDESIDE72 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Cedar Park, Texas Posts: 7,496	Re: Need Advice with Leaky Rad Connector If you have an o ring housing, you should not need any other gasket. That is the whole poi t to the o ring. Sounds like time for a new t stat housing. If the face of the thermostat housing or the mAnifold is not flat, use a file to get it evened out.

07-06-2014, 10:57 AM	#20
Hawghauler Registered User Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Whidbey Island/Edmonds,WA Posts: 360	Re: Need Advice with Leaky Rad Connector The chrome ones are always warped. I don't know if it's the process, or if it's just junk before it's chromed. They almost all leak. You could lay out a sheet of sand paper, then flatten the gasket surface, then install as before. __________________ If I have to be on 4 wheels, It has to be a classic Chevy 1967 c10 Longbed (Hawghauler/Icy weather transport) 2003 BMW K1200GT (Rain bike) 2007 Softail Deuce (Sun bike) 2009 Ultra Classic Electra Glide (Everything else bike)

07-29-2014, 09:51 PM	#21
Already Gone 70+ ( Old Skool Club ) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan ,Canada Posts: 9,115	Re: Need Advice with Leaky Rad Connector Okay, so I got a new original thermostat housing ( from board member "Specialty Retail" ) and I I bought the Fel-Pro gasket with the O ring in it and I got some "Right Stuff " from Napa. I figured I'd get the proper torque specs for the housing bolts so went into my Factory 1970 Chevrolet truck service manual to fund the torque specs. As you can see in the pic it only lists torque specs fro the 6 cylinder engine. So do yiou just Wing It with V8's? Attached Images __________________ 1972 C10 Custom/Deluxe 613 Highlander 406/700R4 1999 White Tahoe LS 4x2 with Z56 Police Package 1992 K1500 GMC Suburban Members I have personally met: MusicMan70 - HeavyD - ChewyChevy67 - StingRay -71SWB4x4 - 67 Burb - DeadheadNM - too much stuff - bc65 - das601 " Circumsatances Do Not Change Responsibility " " The Sky is not the Limit, Your Mind is." Marilyn Monroe .. RIP Charlie Watts 1941 - 2021

07-30-2014, 08:47 AM	#22
volksworld Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: formerly NY currentlyNC Posts: 389	Re: Need Advice with Leaky Rad Connector its a 3/8 bolt into cast iron...so same torque specs apply....dont think i've ever met anyone who actually torqued one in the last 40 years...just make sure the bolts are the correct length and dont bottom out in the holes or jam up when they hit a rusted area or they'll tighten up and the housing will still be loose __________________ 1970 short step c10 leaf spring 454



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