Ok... just took off smog pump and AIR system... but want to clean up passenger's side of engine compartment above valve cover.

1987 Camaro 5.7L TPI

You know that heater hose that comes from the firewall, and joins the vacuum operated solenoid "top hat", there is another one coming up off the oil cooler line. I want to relocate that whole assembly off the valve cover... I've already done the throttle body coolant bypass earlier, BUT THERE IS A LINE now from the "top hat" to the intake manifold coolant inlet....

Here is the crux of my problem... WHAT IS THAT SMALL COOLANT LINE TO THE INTAKE FOR... CAN I JUST PLUG IT, AND TAKE THE VACUUM SOLENOID "TOP HAT" OFF THE VALVE COVER AREA?


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Jethro
1987 IROC Z 13.92 and 1.92 60' street tires stock engine

 

Only if you don't want heat. That top hat as you call it is actually your heater control valve. I'm not sure what the passage into the intake is called, but I would assume it helps to keep your intake manifold cooler when that engine is at operating temperature.

 

Actually, I know that the vacuum solenoid valve on top it to allow hot radiator fluid back to the heater core, but it is that other, smaller line to the intake manifold that I can't get a handle on....

Thanks though, and if you can ask around, I'd appreciate it.

 

You only need the two heater hoses. You have one going to the manifold and one to either the radiator or water pump. Since you have a tpi I assume it goes to the radiator. I would say remove the little line and you should be fine. Ive been under the hood of quite a few tpi's and havent seen what you describe so it must not be very important. Just cap it temporaraly and see if your heater still works.
Good Luck!
SSC

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85 Camaro, 355/400 "drag car" current DD 13.1@ 101mph on its last season run.
Plans: Possibly add N20 for next season.
82 Firebird, 355/350, as soon as the powertrax gets installed. "dyno time"

[This message has been edited by SSC (edited November 23, 2001).]

 

If all you want to do is clean up that side of the engine you can keep the stock function of the heater by getting 3 metal elbows and moving the heater control valve to the passenger side fender in front of the blower motor. I cut the hoses from the firewall about 8-10 inches out and put in the elbows. the third hose cut about even with the top of the engine and the elbow put in. Works great. Just be sure to get metal elbows not plastic or PVC. They will crush when you clamp the hoses on.

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'92 firebird t-tops
305tbi,670cfm tbi, 2 1/2" Dynomax catback, 9x3 K&N open element

 

thanks blackbird... do you know what that smaller hose is that goes below the throttle body, though... and is it important?

 

Coolant comes OUT of the intake trough that little "unimportant" hose, goes through you heater core, then you oil cooler, then back into the radiator. Do NOT take that off. If you really want to get rid of all that stuff, bypass the valve alltoghther and run coolant trough the heater core all the time. Connect the "small hose" to the heater core directly.

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1992 Z28 5.7 TPI

ZZ4 longblock
Harland Sharp roller rockers
Accel base and SLP siamesed runners,
52MM SLP Throttle Body
Hooker Headers & Flowmaster catback
MSD6A ignition
aluminum driveshaft
World Class 5-speed

 

THANKS.... that is much better, and exactly what I needed....