LS-1 steam pipe
Regarding the waterpump, people drill and tap and use a fitting.
Another option is to buy a coupler that is plumbed into the upper radiator hose from Jags that run dot com. That piece has a fitting for the hose as well.
Alternatively, you can have your radiator modified to have a fitting that you can run the line to (what I have done).
Some people cap them off and claim to have no problems, but I didn't feel comfortable doing that.
+1 on the don't cap them off comment. Connect to a high point anywhere high, ie; water punp, top coolant hose, radiator top nipple, secondary filler box if added...etc..
FYI, usually, when people discuss capping off the steam ports, they are referring to the rear steam ports. Capping the fronts will only lead to hot spots around the tops of #1 & #2 pistons.
FYI, usually, when people discuss capping off the steam ports, they are referring to the rear steam ports. Capping the fronts will only lead to hot spots around the tops of #1 & #2 pistons.
I tapped into the top of the water pump since it is at the highest point. You can get the fitting from Oreillys auto parts in the brake fitting section. It is a 3/16" to 1/8"NPT brass fitting. The 3/16" end has a bubble so as a hose can be clamped onto it.
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[/IMG] Maybe I'm missing something here, but why do we need to route the steam lines into the water pump? Where do they normally go on a Firebird/Camaro/Vette/etc? Into the radiator? I just got a Mezeire race WP so I'm not too inclined to drill into it for these lines. Also, I have an LS6 with the blocked off rear steam line "ports". Is this ok? I would assume so since it came like this from the factory... motor will be stock except for a Torquer v.3/valvetrain upgrades/ATI damper and race WP.
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Maybe I'm missing something here, but why do we need to route the steam lines into the water pump? Where do they normally go on a Firebird/Camaro/Vette/etc? Into the radiator? I just got a Mezeire race WP so I'm not too inclined to drill into it for these lines. Also, I have an LS6 with the blocked off rear steam line "ports". Is this ok? I would assume so since it came like this from the factory... motor will be stock except for a Torquer v.3/valvetrain upgrades/ATI damper and race WP.
Andrew
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Maybe I'm missing something here, but why do we need to route the steam lines into the water pump? Where do they normally go on a Firebird/Camaro/Vette/etc? Into the radiator? I just got a Mezeire race WP so I'm not too inclined to drill into it for these lines. Also, I have an LS6 with the blocked off rear steam line "ports". Is this ok? I would assume so since it came like this from the factory... motor will be stock except for a Torquer v.3/valvetrain upgrades/ATI damper and race WP.
If it was capped off, either air (very bad) or water would just sit there, not moving, and eventually make a very hot spot.
so the heads have a port drilled to let coolant flow.
you only have to connect this line ANYWHERE where the coolant will want to flow to.
this can be the radiator, the water pump in, water pump out or in some cases, the heater hoses.
some people choose to do this as a tiny neat hardline. some opt for putting a nipple somewhere and running rubber line.
none of that matters as long as coolant can flow from the head there.
Staging Lane
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: ohio
Maybe I'm missing something here, but why do we need to route the steam lines into the water pump? Where do they normally go on a Firebird/Camaro/Vette/etc? Into the radiator? I just got a Mezeire race WP so I'm not too inclined to drill into it for these lines. Also, I have an LS6 with the blocked off rear steam line "ports". Is this ok? I would assume so since it came like this from the factory... motor will be stock except for a Torquer v.3/valvetrain upgrades/ATI damper and race WP.
You don't have to go into the water pump, but it is an option. The F-bodies route the line to the radiator. On a Trailblazer it is routed into one of the heater houses (but the same side at the water pump works just as well, see the picture I posted). You can choose whatever works best for you.
Andrew
Andrew
Did they hook into the heater hoses or radiator hoses? Since all of the swaps are showing a lot of drill and tapping it seems like maybe the factory set up may be easier or neater???
Thank you!
I believe the answer you're looking for is, it was connected to the throttle body for the pre-heating for colder climates. From there it ran to a nipple on the radiator. So basically, water is pumped through block, through steam lines, through TB, then to radiator. Most people disconnect the pre-heating of the TB and route it into the water pump, radiator, heater hoses, etc. but, I could be wrong.
OMG, how many times do the questions need to be answered? There are @ least (3) different posters where the questions have been answered in detail.
Oh wait...let me ask a question; where do you run the front steam ports to & why? I mean what do they do? What is the reason for them? Can I block them off? Why do some people connect them in the water pump & others to a line @ or near the top of the radiator? I mean what will happen if I plug them? I mean can I just leave the vents unplugged so that coolant can escape to atmosphere? I read all of the replies, but , can't find the answer worded exactly to how my LS1 was built by GM.
Come on people. The issue has been beaten to death.
Oh wait...let me ask a question; where do you run the front steam ports to & why? I mean what do they do? What is the reason for them? Can I block them off? Why do some people connect them in the water pump & others to a line @ or near the top of the radiator? I mean what will happen if I plug them? I mean can I just leave the vents unplugged so that coolant can escape to atmosphere? I read all of the replies, but , can't find the answer worded exactly to how my LS1 was built by GM.
Come on people. The issue has been beaten to death.
OMG, how many times do the questions need to be answered? There are @ least (3) different posters where the questions have been answered in detail.
Oh wait...let me ask a question; where do you run the front steam ports to & why? I mean what do they do? What is the reason for them? Can I block them off? Why do some people connect them in the water pump & others to a line @ or near the top of the radiator? I mean what will happen if I plug them? I mean can I just leave the vents unplugged so that coolant can escape to atmosphere? I read all of the replies, but , can't find the answer worded exactly to how my LS1 was built by GM.
Come on people. The issue has been beaten to death.
Oh wait...let me ask a question; where do you run the front steam ports to & why? I mean what do they do? What is the reason for them? Can I block them off? Why do some people connect them in the water pump & others to a line @ or near the top of the radiator? I mean what will happen if I plug them? I mean can I just leave the vents unplugged so that coolant can escape to atmosphere? I read all of the replies, but , can't find the answer worded exactly to how my LS1 was built by GM.
Come on people. The issue has been beaten to death.
hahahhaha just bustin your ballls.
Staging Lane
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: ohio
OMG, how many times do the questions need to be answered? There are @ least (3) different posters where the questions have been answered in detail.
Oh wait...let me ask a question; where do you run the front steam ports to & why? I mean what do they do? What is the reason for them? Can I block them off? Why do some people connect them in the water pump & others to a line @ or near the top of the radiator? I mean what will happen if I plug them? I mean can I just leave the vents unplugged so that coolant can escape to atmosphere? I read all of the replies, but , can't find the answer worded exactly to how my LS1 was built by GM.
Come on people. The issue has been beaten to death.
Oh wait...let me ask a question; where do you run the front steam ports to & why? I mean what do they do? What is the reason for them? Can I block them off? Why do some people connect them in the water pump & others to a line @ or near the top of the radiator? I mean what will happen if I plug them? I mean can I just leave the vents unplugged so that coolant can escape to atmosphere? I read all of the replies, but , can't find the answer worded exactly to how my LS1 was built by GM.
Come on people. The issue has been beaten to death.
The question was finally answered and I thanked the generous person who did so. If you don't like the fact that someone asks a question than don't reply...Yes there is a Search feature that works nicely. However for those of us going about this the first time there are some things that come up during the build that raises questions. I log on to LS1tech to find the answers and what do you know someone has asked a different question pertaining to something that I will want to know very soon. So I/we click and start reading....
Since when is it a crime to ask a question? Maybe for me I did use the search feature and this thread came up and then I posted the question... Not everyone has been down this road before so it is all new....for those of you who have done it over and over I'm sure the questions are easy to answer. No harm done in asking a question! If you don't like the topic go read something else.
I noticed your location......"In a world without Petty judgment"......really?
For those that have taken the time to explain the situation I and others thank you.
OMG, how many times do the questions need to be answered? There are @ least (3) different posters where the questions have been answered in detail.
Oh wait...let me ask a question; where do you run the front steam ports to & why? I mean what do they do? What is the reason for them? Can I block them off? Why do some people connect them in the water pump & others to a line @ or near the top of the radiator? I mean what will happen if I plug them? I mean can I just leave the vents unplugged so that coolant can escape to atmosphere? I read all of the replies, but , can't find the answer worded exactly to how my LS1 was built by GM.
Come on people. The issue has been beaten to death.
Oh wait...let me ask a question; where do you run the front steam ports to & why? I mean what do they do? What is the reason for them? Can I block them off? Why do some people connect them in the water pump & others to a line @ or near the top of the radiator? I mean what will happen if I plug them? I mean can I just leave the vents unplugged so that coolant can escape to atmosphere? I read all of the replies, but , can't find the answer worded exactly to how my LS1 was built by GM.
Come on people. The issue has been beaten to death.
TECH Resident
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 859
Likes: 2
From: Frozen Tundra, WI
Just to clarify...this is why the bleeder pipe was put in place to begin with...(from another post)...
"GM's pink colored Dex Cool coolant has been used since the late 90s. It is sensitive to air pockets and has been known to congeal or turn gelatinous if the cooling system runs low on antifreeze/coolant. The LS1 designers knew these engines would be sensitive to air in the coolant system, so they devised a way to evacuate air from the block with the 1/4 inch steam ports or vents. There are four, two at the back of the block and two at the front. Because these engines are almost always installed at an angle, the rear two are often sealed or blocked, but the front two go to a high point in the cooling system, NOT to an unpressurized reservoir."
No DexCool...No Problem
"GM's pink colored Dex Cool coolant has been used since the late 90s. It is sensitive to air pockets and has been known to congeal or turn gelatinous if the cooling system runs low on antifreeze/coolant. The LS1 designers knew these engines would be sensitive to air in the coolant system, so they devised a way to evacuate air from the block with the 1/4 inch steam ports or vents. There are four, two at the back of the block and two at the front. Because these engines are almost always installed at an angle, the rear two are often sealed or blocked, but the front two go to a high point in the cooling system, NOT to an unpressurized reservoir."
No DexCool...No Problem
