Rob Edwards

While removing some bits from the car today, I pulled out the metal Y-pipe that runs from the reservoir and heater to the coolant bridge. The hoses were very tightly stuck to the Y-pipe, which has some corrosion on its ends. but check out the inside:




What is strange is that my coolant is nice and clear (though it's orange DexCool, so rusty discoloration might be hard to appreciate. Is this from the pipe only, or ??? I assume the heater core is aluminum?

I never use the heater. But even if the heater valve is closed, coolant must be circulating through the Y-pipe because of its connection to the reservoir- Why all the rust?

Dwayne

Hi Rob,
How rusted was the pipe??
When I had the engine out last summer, I replaced all the coolant pipes and hoses - including the "Y" pipe. Mine had quite a bit of rust on the outside of the pipe where the hose fitted and even had a little corrosion on the inside - enough that I wasn't comfortable trying to clean it up and put it back in. I would suspect the pipe first if it has significant rust/corrosion.
I asked the same question about the heater core on my '84 (because we never used the heater - in fact, it had not been used for years). IIRC, the consensus was the heater core was unlikely to be a source of rust.

David L. Lutz

After seeing the rush on both ends of my pipe I too decided to replace the pipe and all hoses.

Rob Edwards

Interestingly the inside of the pipe is fine, no corrosion. There's just the surface pitting on the outside where the hoses sat at all three places. It cleaned up pretty well with a Scotchbrite pad.

bwoyat

I'm in the procees of replacing my y-pipe as the old one was corroded right thru on the ends. I'm also replacing virtually every other hose in the cooling system while I have the engine out.

Question: I picked up a used y-pipe because a new one was around $250? With the used one I took a wire wheel to it and stripped off all the old paint and grime including what I assume is the plating? Now that it's stripped down should I prime and paint the metal or is it ok to reinstall as is?

Actually any parts that appear to be plated should they be repainted to prevent rust and corrosion?

RyanPerrella

YES repaint it at the very least

David L. Lutz

WoW... I didn't realize that pipe would be that expensive. I just made the decision to replace mine a couple of days ago and have not ordered the new one yet.

I think I will clean mine up and check a little more closely before I spend the 250.00.

bwoyat

Thx Ryan, I guess that goes for any parts where I've stripped off the plating?

Dave, I bought my used pipe from 928Intl for around $50 IIRC. their new price is $256! Pretty crazy. My old one was corroded thru the metal but if your's isn't I'd just clean it up. I think you could run a sandblaster thru the inside to remove any of the build up.

Mrmerlin

I wonder how it would work if the pipe was powder coated??