Ok, i removed the AST, but the nipple on the coolant neck is still there and i have a hose with a plug in the end, but twice the hose has weakened and split. yes quality hose but i have v mount which pushed hose at a pretty good angle.



so is the nipple just press in, so i could pull it out and put in a plug like a you seen on engine blocks? i mean what are my options here.

Get some 3/8" (or 5/16") reinforced hose (fuel line). Get two 3/8' bolts with about ¾ inch of unthreaded shank, and cut this length out of bolt, and stuff in one end of the hoses. Fit on nipples, and use hose clamps, 4 total.

that is essentially what i have. Except that the vmount pushed on the reinforced hose, so what happend is the nipple on the inside starts to wear/cut into the hose from the inside. Yes ever couple of months i can replace it, but the last time my engine went pretty hot, can you say the needle almost pegged and the coolant buzzer was going off. so after that, i want to fix it right.



i think my car is fine, idles nicely, runs at the same temps it used to, seems to have the same power. of course anyting else to check woudl be good info

You can remove the nipple and tap the hole so you could add a brass pipe plug, or take it off and bring it to a welding shop to close it off for good. (I would suggest the first idea)



http://robrobinette.com/images/coola...upper_plug.jpg



The capped one in the above pic is the one I assume your talking about.



After you get it repaired I would also test the coolant system pressure to ensure your system is rock solid after the overheat.

those nipples are just pressed in, its a little tricky to get out, but its possible. after that its a matter of finding a plug....

Yeppers, infact i had a nipple cover just like that one and it split. it is not make of real durable stuff and really just for vacuum lines. The problem with tapping is getting shavings inside. Guess you just cramm something on the back side to keep them from dropping down.

if you coat the inside of the hole with vaseline before tapping it the vaseline catches a lot of it.



then the trick is getting the vaseline out.



kevin.

thanks forgot how easy it is to get the filler neck out but i tried a set of vice clamps and no way is that thing moving. So i am know thinking about have it cut down so the nipple doesn't stick out that far and then welding it closed. Any risk of the welding of the steel nipple melting the aluminium?

yup... if you weld the STEEL nipple... it's probably gonna melt the aluminum. Use a MAP gas torch to heat the nipple up then use your vise-grips on it while it is still hot. It should pop right out then.

yea i think they put some glue on it when they press it in, heating it should help remove it, i could be wrong.



kevin.