Help . . . Need T-Connector Options . . .!

[JayTheCPA]

BL: Need to replace the T-connector in the coolant lines and the local dealership is coming up short with parts (NLA) and even went to the local Home Depot for something to make it work.

In case the shop keeps coming up short on solutions, any recommendations on making it work (source & part numbers?) to get me home from just outside of Savannah to MD?

Given that the T-connector looks like it is a regular maintenance item, when I get home I am going to look into something a little more durable.

Related question, had to mix a gallon of Peak into the GM stuff to keep the coolant level above the 'Low Coolant' warning level, so am I looking at a flush when I get home, or just don't worry about it until next summer when I plan on flushing the system anyway?

 

[JMJNet]

Find a brass tee, should outlast the truck. I bought it at discounthydraulichose dot ...

I replaced mine with a 3/4" tee on all instead of the stock 2 of 3/4" and 1 of 5/8".

I have also replaced the coolant x-over with a 1/2 NPT to 3/4 barb so all the hoses are 3/4" from all direction.

If you want a stock one, somebody just post that this week coming from other GM vehicle.

 

[just a number]

we've all ran into the plastic part issues on hoses. I've learned the galvanized pipe can get you out of a lot of jams.

 

[JayTheCPA]

Part Found

Update. About 20 minutes after posting the plea for help, I got a call that the Burb was just about done and the mechanic wanted to give it a shake-down prior to returning it back to me. After the dealership had gone to what sounded like great lengths to find a the T-connector, but came up short each time, the mechanic apparently took pity on me and pulled the one out of his truck. In the end, the service manager called me regularly with updates and even wants me to call when I get back home just to make sure it held up. Kudos to Hilton Head Automotive for sticking to their original quote and not looking for more things to 'fix'.

Recommendation was to find a source and stock-up.

Like the idea of brass as I had thought about stainless.

Thanks for the quick replies. :thumbsup:

 

[JMJNet]

I read somewhere that the Brass PEX Tee 1" (Homedepot have them) should fit the 3/4" hose.

 

[JayTheCPA]

Too funny, was just about to close the loop on this one

I decided to keep the OE mix-match hose sizes and built a T from discounthydraulichose dot; also added a manual cut-off. Only down-side to the manual cut-off is that I have to remember to open it up when the whether starts to get cool



Turns out the part is still available from an Impalla (IIRC).

 

[FellowTraveler]

Too funny, was just about to close the loop on this one

I decided to keep the OE mix-match hose sizes and built a T from discounthydraulichose dot; also added a manual cut-off. Only down-side to the manual cut-off is that I have to remember to open it up when the whether starts to get cool
Turns out the part is still available from an Impalla (IIRC).

As you know steaming is less an issue w/waterless coolant however IMHO the loop is necessary in our applications to vent any steam.

 

[Burning oil]

I have the shut of valve to heater core also. I love it. Helps a/c perform better.

 

[nobby]

The updated part number on the GM Tee is 12522867. Chevy Impala IIRC, you have to wonder why in the hell GM cannot figure out updating their part numbers for the Trucks etc.
What is tough with this is that the Tee is 3/4, 3/4, 5/8 and the dorman Y shaped Tee 800-422 is 5/8, 5/8, 3/4 all so will not work if you want to keep original hoses. I was able to get from Napa a fitting 28110 made by KATS that was barbed to be 5/8 and 3/4 on the straight side with a 5/8 only at the side Tee, which is supposed to be 3/4 but it worked temporarily and only dripped a wee bit.

Cheers
Nobby

 

[JayTheCPA]

The Impalla 'T' works as I put in a set for a while.

When I did the re-power, the nylon T's came out and the brass fittings went in as I did not care for another cracked junction in the middle of a 1,000 mile road trip (again).