Steam port to water pump question
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 43
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From: OHIO
Steam port to water pump question I'm putting a 2010 camaro water pump on my lq4 . I'm wanting to drill and tap the water pump for the steam port . so I'm thinking , will I get flow ? My thinking is I will be getting water pressure coming out of steam pipe AND pressure coming from outlet of water pump , both at the same pressure . so won't that "dead head" at the steam port fitting . ?
I already know people do it without trouble . I'm wanting some science for a answer
I already know people do it without trouble . I'm wanting some science for a answer
I'm putting a 2010 camaro water pump on my lq4 . I'm wanting to drill and tap the water pump for the steam port . so I'm thinking , will I get flow ? My thinking is I will be getting water pressure coming out of steam pipe AND pressure coming from outlet of water pump , both at the same pressure . so won't that "dead head" at the steam port fitting . ?
I already know people do it without trouble . I'm wanting some science for a answer
I already know people do it without trouble . I'm wanting some science for a answer
Andrew
As mentioned, plenty do it that way. Just crack the fitting to bleed any air out of the line. That said, I ran my 4 port kit to my reservoir, which happens to be the highest point in my system.
Yup I've done that for years as has a shop near me that does LS swaps and no issues at all. Like you said many GM vehicles loop the steam port right into a heater hose or other coolant hose, the only real issues were the junction point of the rubber giving up over time, a proper connection wont have any issues.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 43
Likes: 2
From: OHIO
I know we all do it , I was really wanting some sort of tech answer . I don't like to live by an answer of "it just does" sorry for maybe coming across as harsh. I've always Ben that type of person that has to know how something works .
so in my mind I can't figure how. The coolant flows from steam port to a fitting installed in the water pump without dead heading at the fitting ?
so in my mind I can't figure how. The coolant flows from steam port to a fitting installed in the water pump without dead heading at the fitting ?
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Joined: Jun 2016
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From: Central Cal.
I know we all do it , I was really wanting some sort of tech answer . I don't like to live by an answer of "it just does" sorry for maybe coming across as harsh. I've always Ben that type of person that has to know how something works .
so in my mind I can't figure how. The coolant flows from steam port to a fitting installed in the water pump without dead heading at the fitting ?
so in my mind I can't figure how. The coolant flows from steam port to a fitting installed in the water pump without dead heading at the fitting ?
The flow is caused by the pressure delta on both sides of the water pump. Inlet side is basically the radiator side. Outlet side is into the engine and out of the engine. So coolant will flow out of the engine toward the radiator/heater core through all available paths (steam line, heater hose, and upper radiator hose). Diameter of these paths will impact flow volume, but all will flow.
The steam ports, heater hose, and upper radiator hose are all parallel paths to the same destination.
The steam ports, heater hose, and upper radiator hose are all parallel paths to the same destination.
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this is the best way of doing it imo. Especially for boosted stuff. Really moves alot of water out of the heads.
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Teching In
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 43
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From: OHIO
This is a thought .... Since the steam port is way smaller than outlet on water pump , would it be higher pressure ? Like putting your finger on the end of a garden hose ? Therefore overcoming water pump pressure and permitting flow from the steam ports ?
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Joined: Jun 2016
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From: Central Cal.
In the cooling system, water is flowing a few different directions, so no pressure buildup.
The other benefit of tying the steam ports into the reservoir hose occurs during filling the system with coolant. The steam ports are the highest point on the heads. When you fill with coolant, air would like to LEAVE the block/heads through those ports. The reservoir is highest point of the entire system - so if you tie the steam ports into the high point of the reservoir hoses -- it makes filling the system without any air pockets a piece of cake. Pic below of mine - you can see the reservoir on the driver's side -- the and "tee" fitting on the vent hose that connects the steam vents to the reservoir. To fill the system -- you simply keep adding coolant to the reservoir until you hit the 'low' line; air is pushed out through the reservoir vent hose as the system fills. And you're done.
And, of course, you get to buy a tee and some hose instead of drilling/tapping the water pump. If you're ever out on a road trip and the water pump fails.....
Attachment 713890
And, of course, you get to buy a tee and some hose instead of drilling/tapping the water pump. If you're ever out on a road trip and the water pump fails.....
Attachment 713890
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That is the biggest down side to tapping into the water pump is if it fails away from home you can't just replace with it a new one. But having said that my LS swapped jeep has been that way for over 10 years with no issues.
I've used a splice in the upper radiator hose from JTR. I've welded a NPT bung into the radiator. They all work.
I've used a splice in the upper radiator hose from JTR. I've welded a NPT bung into the radiator. They all work.
In a pinch, just start the engine and put a hose cap on the steam port once coolant starts being pushed out. You can drive with it capped (for weeks/months) until you get around to tapping the water pump.