My projecct B16 block is torn down and ready to go to the machine shop to me mic'ed, honed and hot-tanked. The coolant connecting pipe on the block is heavily corroded though.

just so you know what I'm talking about...



water pump end....



thermostat end....



My shop manual shows that the pipe is a replaceable piece and that it has gaskets in each end that need to be replaced. On my motor, the ends look like they're flared into place though. The only way to remove the pipe would be to destroy it.

How does one go about replacing the pipe and/or gaskets? How would I flare the thermostat end if I did replace it? Do replacement pipes have some other installation method other than flaring? Any help would be appreciated.

 

It's not post-flared.

You remove the thermostat housing first - (2) 12mm bolts. The pipe will wiggle loose.

It's easier to get the pulley-side off if you remove the oil cooler. Then just wiggle it out.

When you reinstall the new one, put new O-rings on the end and coat them with a little bit of oil to keep them from binding on the housings while trying to wiggle/slide the ends in.

 

so even though the end appears to be flared, it will fit through the thermo housing and the water pump end of the block? I got it wiggling last night, but didn't want to pull TOO hard before getting all the facts.

Thanks for your help IN VTEC. You're responses to a couple of my questions throughout this build have invaluable.

 

I just remove the thermostat housing as a whole...the part that mounts to the block and the part that the lower radiator hose connects to, with the thermostat still in it. By removing the housing, it'll give you more degrees of dimensional freedom to wiggle/angle it out.

I'm not sure if leaving the water pump on will have any bearing on the ease of removal and installation tho. Doesn't appear so b/c the pump sits pretty far away from where the end of the main water pipe rests.

Just make sure nothing is in it's way. It's pretty stubborn, compounded by it being the first time feeling out how much effort to exert on it.

Always glad to help whenever I can.

 

My connecting pipe is leaking where it meets the water pump housing. But the engine is in the car. Can i just take the thermo housing off and just try to get to it that way? Or will i half to take the engine out.....not sure if ill be able to get to it.

 

Probably can. I've had ones that'll pop right out by pulling and others that had to be angled out.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MordecaiPSI &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">My connecting pipe is leaking where it meets the water pump housing. But the engine is in the car. Can i just take the thermo housing off and just try to get to it that way? Or will i half to take the engine out.....not sure if ill be able to get to it.</TD></TR></TABLE>

yes you can do it in the car it is a bitch but i did one on a 89 accord today at work