Steam line and temp sensor for gauge

[69ls4.8swap]

Currently I am running a couple in top radiator hose with fittings for steam line and gauge sender and its ugly. Want to clean it up. I know I could put gauge sender in pass side head but somebody stripped the Allen head so I cant get it out. Has anybody drilled and tapped water pump for both? Can I have a bung welded on my original 4 core radiator for steam line? Thank you in advance.

[mongocanfly]

Water pump castings are very thin...not easy to drill and tap....you can weld a nut or bolt to the pass side plug and might get it out....if your tank is brass a bung could be added for the steam...I've drilled and tapped 2 pumps for steam lines...the 1st worked good...the 2nd looked questionable as the casting was thin...but it's still holding

[Wgesnerjr]

My original brass radiator from my 85 C10 had a heater hose port on the passenger side just above the trans lines and below the filler neck. I had a local radiator shop convert that port to a steam line port while they were cleaning it out. Hooked the steam line to it and it works great. Cost was $100 for all.

[verdell]

I drilled and tapped my water pump also but it's just until I get a different radiator. Works fine, no issues.

[Willie Makeit]

we've drilled and tapped at least 8-10 water pumps for steam line fittings with never a problem. some were tapped on the top of the pump, a few on the back. both spots had plenty of material for tapping. remember, the fitting's threads are not load-bearing, only a sealing surface.