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Hey guys, I just picked up this '77 F100 w/ a 351M yesterday. I was able to get it running but I noticed coolant spraying over the engine bay from some jerry-rigging done on one of the heater hoses. The 5/8 hose is adapted up to some nylon fitting here on the block:
I'm guessing this fitting isn't standard here. The threads are all jacked up and covered in some sort of glue I can't get off, so I need to replace it with the right part. I tried turning it but it's stuck in there good and felt like it might break. My question is... is this a threaded hole or press fit? If I can't turn it out would it be better to just cut/dig/drill the thing out?
Well, I've been going out there every few minutes and trying to turn the fitting just to see if I could gently work it loose over time. This last effort was enough and it gave loose. Funny though... the diameter of the hole is 9/16. Every replacement press fitting I can find is 3/4. I've double-checked the hole is clear and the old fitting isn't stuck down in there.
Those press fittings are available. I think I got the last one from NAPA. Clean that hole up and make sure the remains of the old fitting isn't still in there. Worse case you can thread that with a 3/8 NPT tap and use a hose barb. I've had to do that a couple of times.
I reckon tapping it is probably the best bet here. If this fitting corroding is as common as all these threads make it seem... might as well make it easier to replace in the future, eh?
I appreciate the link, but the problem here is the hole size (and what to do about the stuck tube). I've decided to drill out the hole to accept a 3/8" NPT tap. I have the tap and drill bit on the way. Will post an update once I get 'er sorted.
There are probably more than one way to skin this cat. But here is what I do. You don't want the remains of that tube in your engine or a bunch of metal shavings. I use the jab saw to cut a groove in the rotted tube then drive a small punch or chisel in enough to start it splitting. Grab it with a stout pair of needle nose and twist it out.
I appreciate the tips. I was able to get it sorted by tapping for a brass fitting. I started by drilling out the hole + the stuck press fitting. I was worried that large chunks of the old fitting would fall into the block but I reckon I got lucky. Drilling broke the old fitting into easily retrievable shavings. I just stuck a telescoping magnet down in the block and pulled all the shavings out. I then tapped for 3/8" NPT and installed a hose barb fitting. All in all it went pretty quick and I'm satisfied with the outcome.
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Removing a heater hose fitting
