LT1 Install in my 1958 Chevy Truck

[TFagan]

I have installed a Lt1 out of a 1995 Buick Roadmaster into my 58. I am down to just a few things. My question is on the cooling system hoses. There is an addition hose that ran to the expansion tank on the Roadmaster. I have an aluminum replacement radiator for the 1958 Truck. Where does it need to run to. The only idea I have is to have a fitting welded into the top of my radiator. Hopefully someone has tackles this already - Thanks in advance

[NEWFISHER]

Check with member LT1burb he has an amazingly clean install.

[TFagan]

Thank you - Ill try to contact him

[youngrodder]

I have an LT1 in my 48. Pics of the hose that you are referring too would help but I know there is a hose that carries coolant to the throttle body. I have had my LT1 on the road for a few yrs so let me know if you have any questions.



Thanks
Marc

[TFagan]

Here are picture of the hose in question. I also added a picture of two open vacuum ports I do not know what to do as well.

[youngrodder]

I think all you need to do is drill and tap the water pump and put in a 90 degree barbed fitting the then shorten the hose the hook it up the 90 degree fitting. It basically will just circulate the coolant. I have attached a picture from the Street and Performance web site that covers this. BTW I did the same thing on mine. Just be careful when you tap the water pump because it is aluminum.

I will look at the vacuum ports tonight on mine and snap a pic.

Marc

[LT1 Burb]

That is correct, here is a pic of mine, the vacuum lines go to the map sensor and the fuel pressure regulator. There is a couple on the other side to, I plugged one of them and ran my vacuum gauge to the other.

[youngrodder]

I also took a few pics of my vacuum ports. Mine is a 95 Corvette LT1 so the layout might vary from yours.

Order of pics: Passenger side, Driver side, Driver side. The lower one wraps around and hooks up EGR silanoid on the driver side.


Marc

[Number 9]

Originally Posted by TFagan

I have installed a Lt1 out of a 1995 Buick Roadmaster into my 58. I am down to just a few things. My question is on the cooling system hoses. There is an addition hose that ran to the expansion tank on the Roadmaster. I have an aluminum replacement radiator for the 1958 Truck. Where does it need to run to. The only idea I have is to have a fitting welded into the top of my radiator. Hopefully someone has tackles this already - Thanks in advance

Why not use an expansion tank like the Buick ran and set it up the same. Just wondering if it would work for you. Looks like a nice setup you have. Wouldn't mind a LS in my 59.

[TFagan]

I understand the hose goes to the expansion tank - is there a hose from the tank to the radiator? If so, how do I tie it in. Also, what radiator cap do I put on the radiator since I will be using the expansion tank for filling (I assume)

[youngrodder]

You can hook yours up like we have stated and just add an overflow tank tied into the radiator. I just ran a tube from the overflow relief nipple on the neck of the radiator down to an overflow tank. You can add antifreeze through the neck like normal. Check back when you get ready to add anitfreeze. With these LT1's being reverse cooled they can be tempramental to remove the air from the cooling system.

I would run a non-vented cap rated for 15-18 lbs.

Marc

[TFagan]

Thank you all very much. I will hunt down the fitting and drill my water pump as you have done.

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by TFagan

Thank you all very much. I will hunt down the fitting and drill my water pump as you have done.

Good luck. Take it slow. With the cost of the waterpump you don't want to crack it when you drill and tap it. I drilled/tapped mine with it on the engine and just had a friend hold a shop vac close and drilled slowly and he sucked up any aluminum shavings with the shop vac.

Marc

[TFagan]

I sure will. What size fitting did you use. Looks to be brass.

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by TFagan

I sure will. What size fitting did you use. Looks to be brass.

I don't recall. It is brass. According to Street and Performance they recommend "1/4 pipe 90 degree fitting". This might have been what I went with.

Marc

[TFagan]

Thanks - I will contact you in a while when I need to bleed the system