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Cleaning up the engine bay tonight I noticed that a couple of my radiator hoses are looking a little rough. They have gone past their shelf life judging by the cracking that's appearing on some and the spongy feel on others.
They all look easy enough to change out. Then I started looking at the heater hose situation. The one that runs off the coolant recovery tank to the heater core is only barely visible. The neighboring hose from the intake manifold to heater core also disappears under the a/c box.
What is the best way to tackle changing the heater hoses? I'm guessing it will require going under the car as well to get the ends off the heater core.
I plan on getting the heater hoses with the molded end because everything I read says the straight hoses get in a bind where they hook up to the heater core outlets.
I also notice I have another hose running off the coolant recovery tank to the water pump that I can't find a replacement for on Corvette Central.
Putting the car on jack stands (or a lift) is about the only way to access the heater core/hose connections. I'd suggest cutting off the existing hoses close to the heater core with strong snips, slicing the old hose vertically, and peeling the hose off the core tubes. You don't want to be wiggling the soldered pipe to core connections any more than necessary.
As I understand it, the replacement hoses with the molded in U-shape are absolutely necessary unless you fashion a bent copper pipe. The hoses will kink in the bend if you try to make a straight hose conform to the U-turn. The hose that goes to the reservoir tank gets cut into two pieces with the tank connections in the middle. That's where the tank to water pump hose comes from - both hoses are on the order of 4' long.
Last edited by barkingrats; Aug 4, 2020 at 11:20 PM.
Cleaning up the engine bay tonight I noticed that a couple of my radiator hoses are looking a little rough. They have gone past their shelf life judging by the cracking that's appearing on some and the spongy feel on others.
They all look easy enough to change out. Then I started looking at the heater hose situation. The one that runs off the coolant recovery tank to the heater core is only barely visible. The neighboring hose from the intake manifold to heater core also disappears under the a/c box.
What is the best way to tackle changing the heater hoses? I'm guessing it will require going under the car as well to get the ends off the heater core.
I plan on getting the heater hoses with the molded end because everything I read says the straight hoses get in a bind where they hook up to the heater core outlets.
I also notice I have another hose running off the coolant recovery tank to the water pump that I can't find a replacement for on Corvette Central.
Remove the passenger side egg crate grill so you have access to the water valve. The hose from the water pump to the recovery tank is a 3/4" hose, just purchase the length you need.
Last edited by 71 Green 454; Aug 5, 2020 at 09:12 AM.
Remove the passenger side egg crate grill so you have access to the water valve. The hose from the water pump to the recovery tank is a 3/4" hose, just purchase the length you need.
I believe the OP has a '72; these A/C big blocks did not use any type of water valve in the heater hose system. Removing the side grill is a good tip in order to reach the back connection on the reservoir tank.
I believe the OP has a '72; these A/C big blocks did not use any type of water valve in the heater hose system. Removing the side grill is a good tip in order to reach the back connection on the reservoir tank.
don't cut too close to heater core!! you may damage metal part.. cut slice and remove gently so (as recommended previously) you don't spring a solder leak..don't stress the connection
Yes mine is a 72. I'm going to try and route the heater hoses between the a/c compressor and the passenger fender. I've seen a lot of schematics showing they should live there. I'd like to get them away from the snorkel opening preheating already hot air going to the carb. We'll see though...
Yes mine is a 72. I'm going to try and route the heater hoses between the a/c compressor and the passenger fender. I've seen a lot of schematics showing they should live there. I'd like to get them away from the snorkel opening preheating already hot air going to the carb. We'll see though...
Those schematics are for small blocks as I recall. The big block has the hoses running over the top of the a/c compressor. Not the most attractive, I know, but that's what they did (see the pic 71 Green 454 posted of his hoses). Not sure if you buy the stock repro hoses that they'll fit under the compressor and up to the top of the manifold.
Tex, Here's pictures from my '72 a/c 454 with 7K mi. Hoses are the way they left the factory. You would need molded ones for sure as they make sharp turns going into the heater core.
Last edited by toylman; Aug 8, 2020 at 08:41 AM.
Reason: added picture
That does suck the way the heater hoses on 454's run on top of the compressor. Visual appearance aside; I was hoping to move that hot *** hose away from the air cleaner snorkel. I guess it doesn't really make that big of a difference in temp though as hot as the 454 gets in that small engine compartment.
Oh thanks for the photos that helps me to know what I'm looking for for routing the hoses especially underneath where vision is limited to say the least.
Last edited by TexVette01; Aug 8, 2020 at 10:19 AM.
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454 w/ ac heater hose replacement
