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I have read a ton on the subject and "think" I know the answer to this but I would like to confirm with some more knowledgeable folks than myself. First, I really DO NOT want to tap the water pump or run a JTR style upper radiator hose adapter. Just not warming up to the water pump tap and I have a Spectre metal radiator hose so knocks that out. One option is to run a surge tank, seems good, but radiator is pretty high and would have to get creative to get surge tank higher and don't really want to throw extra money at that when I got a nice beefy radiator with a good fan already I am sure will work just fine. Temp on 383 stroker that was in there before was really good.
...so the option that I want to do is to tap the radiator and have my buddy weld in a bung for attachment, Here's where I need a little confirmation or guidance. I feel like if I put the bung in the areas that my fingers are pointing to in the pics then I should be good to go, but I can not seem to find an example of this to confirm. Also, does the angle matter, for example, if I put a 90 degree fitting to accommodate spacing, does that change anything, My steam line is on this side already, so would be a pretty short run across and follow path with the radiator hose, thinking it could run parallel or maybe on top if necessary. At any rate, could some folks either confirm I am good or not and briefly explain why. Not trying to be critical of whatever advice is given, I want to understand why and educate myself. Thank you in advance for your time.
That location should work just fine. If it's higher than the steam line where it attaches to the block, it will easily purge air by gravity when you're filling the system and will burp additional pockets as they make their way out with time.
On mine I welded an NPT bung just below the radiator outlet very nearby.
Thank you for the replies. I like to do things right the first time and this is my first build so I appreciate the transfer of expertise. As a side, since I understand this is a beat to death topic, maybe there is a smart enough person that could assemble a Sticky that would be a bit more of a definitive guide on this with a few pics to demonstrate. Plenty of info scattered about on tapping water pump, JTR adapter, etc... but was unable to find much on tapping the radiator. I pieced together most everything but was still unclear on WHERE to tap the radiator. Anyways, just a suggestion for a hot rodder that has a little time on their hands... Hopefully this post also helps someone else as well.
Hey man, we're all here to help and learn, and if a subject can be beaten a little more in order to further clarify it, so be it! Glad you were helped!
I would weld the bung on the side. I've done a few that way with zero issues. Mostly because it looks so much better than having the -4 stainless line kind of up in your face.
Also the bung is easier to weld on a flat surface.
Since i have a separate tranny radiator, the tranny connections on the radiator was not being used so I plugged the bottom one and drilled out the top port and installed my line in it. as the car was running I could see bobbles from it. And when the water pump is working it should create a suction due to circulation.
Last edited by Tramminc; Jan 31, 2019 at 08:52 AM.
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Specific Steam Line Question... 
