BackInBlack02

iTrader: (4)

Why in the hell did they put reverse cooling on the LT1's???

Its a PITA to take off those coolant lines in back of the heads. I only have to take one off and its already stripping. Is it supposed to be a 14mm??? and left to take off (right looking from front of engine)???

383lt1impala

iTrader: (33)

theres cooler lines in the back? hmm maybe just on the fbods.

BackInBlack02

iTrader: (4)

yes, one line connecting both heads on the back. I looked them up on the Haynes book and there they are, page 2C-11 bolted to the heads with "banjo" retainers. What the hell is a banjo retainer? It even says that "it is important to get a firm purchase on these bolts when removing them to avoid rounding them off."

what??

Black02LS1

iTrader: (5)

I would trust information on here better than in the generic Haynes book. Try doing a search for more info.

EkS

B-Bodys have them too!

Banjo bolt is just a bolt with a hole in it. In this case it allows the water to flow through.

BackInBlack02

iTrader: (4)

who here has taken them off?
how did you do it?

I've tried a 15mm craftsman wrench and craftsman vice grips and no luck.
are these hard to find? can they be bought at vatozone or is it a dealer only item?

I've been trying to get the other one off but its also getting stripped. Looks like I'm gonna have to buy another one so last draw is sawing the coolant line off (don't really want to do that) to ge the head out.

ss.slp.ls1

iTrader: (36)

I've done it. I used a open end wrench to get them off. If you don't strip them, you don't need new banjo bolts, you will just need new rubber sealed washers. Otherwise you could easily get a new coolant crossover tube with banjo bolts from a junkyard. Any LT1 crossover tube will work, you may or may not have to extend the rubber hose to goes to it depending on the year.

BackInBlack02

iTrader: (4)

both are stripped now, been trying the vise grips but those are also stripping. Maybe I need one of those new craftsman bolt-out wrenches...... or just saw off the line and get it off when the head is out. Don't know if vatozone has the lines or if these are dealer item only.

ss.slp.ls1

iTrader: (36)

I think the coolant crossover tube (or steam pipe) is a junkyard/dealer only item. But you can get the new washers at Autozone.

juicdta

iTrader: (4)

the easiest way is full unbolt the heads and have a buddie help you lift them off together and remove the banjo bolts with the heads on the ground.

EkS

Once they're stripped, it's over, you need new ones. I have one banjo bolt with one rubber washer if you want to buy just the banjo bolt and washer. But if you need the whole pipe, they'll come with new banjo bolts and washers. The only place to get that is at the dealer and the part# is 12556260. Good luck!

BackInBlack02

iTrader: (4)

That's what I did not want to do but it looks that way.

thanks, I called the dealer, $78.00. I'm already buying the gaskets, might as well take both off and just buy the bolts at vatozone.

my two day quick fix is turning out to be a 2 week mod. got to get it fixed by the 4th.

ss.slp.ls1

iTrader: (36)

Another $22 and you could buy my engine.

EkS

I don't think they sell the banjo bolts at AZ. Plus if you're getting the part with the part# I gave you, it comes complete with the bolts, washers, and the pipe.