Swap Coolant Return Pipe for Hose

[mwesten]

Hey gang - anyone here make the switch to just one piece of hose from the back of the water pump, under the Y pipe and out? vs the coolant return pipe? Figure this would remove at least one point of leaking.

[David T]

Hey gang - anyone here make the switch to just one piece of hose from the back of the water pump, under the Y pipe and out? vs the coolant return pipe? Figure this would remove at least one point of leaking.

That pipe was a convenience to assemble the car so they would have a connection they could get to easily without dismantling the motor when it was installed in the car.

[Bitsyncmaster]

Hey gang - anyone here make the switch to just one piece of hose from the back of the water pump, under the Y pipe and out? vs the coolant return pipe? Figure this would remove at least one point of leaking.

Yes I did that 15 years ago. I used silicon hose so was able to fit it onto the larger pump fitting with some effort.

[mwesten]

Yes I did that 15 years ago. I used silicon hose so was able to fit it onto the larger pump fitting with some effort.

I haven?t torn down to the VOD yet (still gathering parts)? what diameter of silicone hose would you reco and what length? I figure I can just heat gun it on the pump end yes?

[82DMC12]

Last time I was in the valley (Jan 2022) I replaced the original metal pipe with the DPI (https://deloreanindustries.com/online-store/air-conditioning-unit/7-1-3-heating-system/6-water-return-pipe-updated-configuration/). I was somewhat worried about silicone hoses needing to be tightened but I got the clamp good and tight, also had the opportunity to check it again when I did a frame off later that year and confirmed there was no leakage in the valley.

Definitely recommend the kit, yeah you can figure something out for way cheaper at NAPA but I like the supplied adapter that fits to the Y-pipe bolt.

69775

[mwesten]

Last time I was in the valley (Jan 2022) I replaced the original metal pipe with the DPI (https://deloreanindustries.com/online-store/air-conditioning-unit/7-1-3-heating-system/6-water-return-pipe-updated-configuration/). I was somewhat worried about silicone hoses needing to be tightened but I got the clamp good and tight, also had the opportunity to check it again when I did a frame off later that year and confirmed there was no leakage in the valley.

Definitely recommend the kit, yeah you can figure something out for way cheaper at NAPA but I like the supplied adapter that fits to the Y-pipe bolt.

69775

That?s interesting never seen that option. What?s the reason for the splice and not just one-hosing it all the way across?

[82DMC12]

The adapter is required because the hose size goes from 3/4 to 5/8. Needs to transition somewhere, somehow.

[DMC-Ron]

The adapter is required because the hose size goes from 3/4 to 5/8. Needs to transition somewhere, somehow.

Perhaps a transition beyond the valley would be prudent?

[Bitsyncmaster]

The adapter is required because the hose size goes from 3/4 to 5/8. Needs to transition somewhere, somehow.

A pump back with a 5/8" nipple would be the best.

[mwesten]

The adapter is required because the hose size goes from 3/4 to 5/8. Needs to transition somewhere, somehow.

Makes sense. You think that thing would work if it was just moved out of the valley? Seems like it could just ?float? and not have to be mounted to anything. Or if it needed support could be zip tied to something else.

[82DMC12]

Yeah any of the above will work. I think the point of the adapter mounted to the Y-pipe is to keep the hose from rubbing on the engine or transmission. If the hose between the water pump and the adapter is nice and stable, it is unlikely to suddenly start leaking. I think I used to have a plastic adapter on my hoses making the transition prior to installing this kit. That was fine too, but I still had the metal snake pipe.

[mwesten]

Yeah any of the above will work. I think the point of the adapter mounted to the Y-pipe is to keep the hose from rubbing on the engine or transmission. If the hose between the water pump and the adapter is nice and stable, it is unlikely to suddenly start leaking. I think I used to have a plastic adapter on my hoses making the transition prior to installing this kit. That was fine too, but I still had the metal snake pipe.

Got it that makes sense thanks.

Does sound like some have used 5/8? from the pump back all the way out and made it work. Is it a bad idea to do that? Getting a 5/8? hose end around the 3/4? pump back? A difference of 1/8? (which is really just 1/16? circumference-wise) seems within tolerances of a good silicone hose, but I haven?t done this. Sounds like Dave has..

[mwesten]

Got it that makes sense thanks.

Does sound like some have used 5/8? from the pump back all the way out and made it work. Is it a bad idea to do that? Getting a 5/8? hose end around the 3/4? pump back? A difference of 1/8? (which is really just 1/16? circumference-wise) seems within tolerances of a good silicone hose, but I haven?t done this. Sounds like Dave has..

Sorry - every time I type this up on my iPhone it changes things around... I really didn't type all of those questions marks! Here fixed it...

Does sound like some have used 5/8" from the pump back all the way out and made it work. Is it a bad idea to do that? Getting a 5/8" hose end around the 3/4" pump back? A difference of 1/8" (which is really just 1/16" circumference-wise) seems within tolerances of a good silicone hose, but I haven't done this. Sounds like Dave has..

[82DMC12]

Sorry - every time I type this up on my iPhone it changes things around... I really didn't type all of those questions marks! Here fixed it...

Does sound like some have used 5/8" from the pump back all the way out and made it work. Is it a bad idea to do that? Getting a 5/8" hose end around the 3/4" pump back? A difference of 1/8" (which is really just 1/16" circumference-wise) seems within tolerances of a good silicone hose, but I haven't done this. Sounds like Dave has..

I don't think I have heard of anyone doing it but maybe it's possible. For me, the consequences of a leak in the valley are too great and wanted to stick with proven solutions rather than experiment. I don't trust anyone but a vendor, myself, or other long time owner to remove the intake to fix that leak, if I were on a road trip and too far from home for a flat bed!

[EdR5150]

I used a 5/8 ID hose, and was able to connect it to the water pump. I had to stretch and increase the internal diameter with some oiled up sockets. I then ran it through a 1" cushioned hose clamp in the same spot where the hose connected to the pipe:

https://16908.info/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/20230402_175826.jpghttps://16908.info/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/clamp1.jpg

I eliminated two hose clamps!

Disclaimer: I only have a few miles on this setup. It has not been time-tested.

[82DMC12]

Good luck, personally I don't like the way that hose looks bulging out over the water pump back.

Sent from my Pixel 6a using Tapatalk

[mwesten]

Coming back to this one, after having fought a broken bolt in the valley successfully!

Thoughts on worm clamps or t-bolts for the silicone hoses coming out the back of the water pump?

[Timeless]

Coming back to this one, after having fought a broken bolt in the valley successfully!

Thoughts on worm clamps or t-bolts for the silicone hoses coming out the back of the water pump?
For years I have used constant tension clamps on many personal cars and customer builds. After reading the AMS clamp testing report and speaking with many about the TS clamps - these were a no-brainer. I love them.

https://www.turbosmart.com/product/murray-clamp-constant-tension-clamps-1-125-1-500/

[mwesten]

For years I have used constant tension clamps on many personal cars and customer builds. After reading the AMS clamp testing report and speaking with many about the TS clamps - these were a no-brainer. I love them.

https://www.turbosmart.com/product/murray-clamp-constant-tension-clamps-1-125-1-500/

Thanks for this. Yeah I got some of the below clamps which some say are superior to worm style clamps, but in doing research it seems like they may not apply even pressure around the circumference of the hose. Not sure if this REALLY matters, I just don?t want anything that will let loose over time.

https://a.co/d/bqEdB9l

[Timeless]

Thanks for this. Yeah I got some of the below clamps which some say are superior to worm style clamps, but in doing research it seems like they may not apply even pressure around the circumference of the hose. Not sure if this REALLY matters, I just don?t want anything that will let loose over time.

https://a.co/d/bqEdB9l
Those are not the greatest. The issue is pressure confined to one point and evenly spread across the entire circumference. Constant tension clamps are especially great in areas that are hard to access for peace of mind.

[dmcman73]

Sorry - every time I type this up on my iPhone it changes things around... I really didn't type all of those questions marks! Here fixed it...

Does sound like some have used 5/8" from the pump back all the way out and made it work. Is it a bad idea to do that? Getting a 5/8" hose end around the 3/4" pump back? A difference of 1/8" (which is really just 1/16" circumference-wise) seems within tolerances of a good silicone hose, but I haven't done this. Sounds like Dave has..

They sell pre-formed 3/4 - 5/8 hoses, I posted this in an older thread on Facebook: https://www.ebay.com/itm/313420522063

There are shorter 3/4 - 5/8 hoses on there as well where you can save some money.

[mwesten]

Those are not the greatest. The issue is pressure confined to one point and evenly spread across the entire circumference. Constant tension clamps are especially great in areas that are hard to access for peace of mind.

Super helpful thanks! Def don?t want to go back into the valley anymore than I have to.

[mwesten]

They sell pre-formed 3/4 - 5/8 hoses, I posted this in an older thread on Facebook: https://www.ebay.com/itm/313420522063

There are shorter 3/4 - 5/8 hoses on there as well where you can save some money.

Thanks for this. I wound up getting a 3/4 to 5/8 coupler and positioned it outside the valley.