The throttle body coolant hose that loops around on the front of the TPI air intake started leaking. It looked pretty old and bulging, so I took it off and want to replace it.

It's hard to figure out what size it is, even with a ruler. One part of it is 7/8 inch outer diameter, so I am guessing it is a 3/4 inch inner diameter heater hose.

Another question : The hose comes out and goes right back in, doing a 180 turnaround. Is this a molded hose piece? Can I just get a 7 inch heater hose and bend it? Will it kink?

There are grooves on it, that go lengthwise, unlike a regular heater hose. No markings on it.


Thanks

 

I think it's smaller than that; probably 5/8" hose; especially since it's on the hot side, where everything is 5/8". Might even be as small as ½" but I kind of don't think so.

Usual best approach is, go to the local corner store and schmooze some counter person into letting you go back and survey the wall they have the molded hoses hanging on, and pick out a couple that have sections that look promising.

Yes it's definitely pre-molded. Regular hose won't bend that tight. You could probably use a piece of copper and make the bend, and cut some short coupling sections of hose to hook it up, if you can't find a rubber one.

 

Thanks. I see there are a lot of u shaped molded hoses for sale on amazon, but so far they don't fit a 1988 GTA. I'll have to go back to my car and see if I can just cut off the rotted end, and use what's left. Otherwise, I may end up using 2 short hoses on the nipples, and connect both hoses to a plastic 'join' of some sort, to make the U turn. Have to get resourceful or creative or whatnot, lol. Some of those u shaped pieces on the net are 5/8 at one end and 3/4 at the other end.

 

Yeah I think your best bet would be to measure the nipples (hehehe) and go look at physical hoses. Sometimes ya never know... some tractor, or generator, or something, might have some short section that's just what you need.

 

Dayco 87662 makes a great tb bypass but you’re looking for a acdelco 14097S.

 

I would also recommend the TB bypass, the performance gain is minimal but it’s worth it just for the ease of removing the TB for cleanings etc. Also not having heated air entering the intake is a bonus.

 

Thanks !

 

The performance gain is "minimal" is an understatement. It's the impractical truism that isn't supported by measurement or even math. The opposite end of the scale is the potential benefit as density altitude and humidity increase while temperature decreases.

For example, this occurred just yesterday:
https://www.thenorthwestern.com/stor...h/70492162007/

It was almost 90° and sunny, and icing is a suspect among the causes.
https://www.ntsb.gov/Advocacy/safety...nts/SA-029.pdf

While it's not nearly as imminently dangerous on something without wings, it's the reason the system is there. I understand why GTA88 might want to keep the system functional.

Look into something like a Gates 18777, which is close to what fits.