ShiftRX7

Hi guys, first of all sorry for the newbie question...im working on my AST delete right now and im not sure which is the best way to plug the lines that originally went to the AST. I have read of using a bolt and hose but could not exactly understand how; moreover i would like to have some feedback of people that have already done this with any method about what they think it's the best choice. im a bit worried that high pressure and temp will damage the plug in time...

thanks for your help!

project06tj

iTrader: (1)

Just take a small piece of hose, maybe 3 inches, and put one end on the hole you are trying to plug, and in the other end put a bolt that snugly fits in. Then using the proper clamps, make sure it is tight, and will not come off simply by pulling on it.

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

Use some high temp RTV on whatever you are using as the plug to help with the heat as well as help make it a more leak proof.

ShiftRX7

thanks for the suggestion i will try this weekend!

oo7arkman

iTrader: (2)

The hose and bolt solution is a great one and allows the ast delete to be reversible. BUT, personally I think it is fairly unattractive. For a permanent but cleaner look remove the pipe sticking out of the water pump neck, properly tap and thread the hole, and find a allen bolt (screw) that has no head to insert in its place. Similar to the one in the side of the water pump neck. Use some sort of sealant or JB Weld to prevent it from leaking and you have a MUCH cleaner delete. I did the same for the radiator pipe to ast, but since that is not really seen the "hose and plug" method could be used. I just did this the other day and I could snap a pic of my filler neck if you would like.

ShiftRX7

thanks man, a pics will be appreciated!

oo7arkman

iTrader: (2)

Hope these help. They are phone pics so the quality is not the best. If you have any questions feel free to pm me. It really is very straight forward, so don't over complicate it.




Bolt I used:



Shot #1:



Shot #2:

Banzai-Racing

iTrader: (11)

Leave the nipples in place and simply route a hose from the nipple on the radiator to the one one the thermostat housing.

ShiftRX7

thank you all for the suggestion; i went with the hose bolt and clamp for now and planning to do the arkman's plug as soon as i have some additional spare time.

dvo

iTrader: (22)

There's nothing wrong with doing this is there? What's the pros/cons of doing this vs. plugging the lower Thermostate nipple and the radiator tank's nipple?

RENESISFD

iTrader: (13)

You can also pull out the insert and weld up the hole and smooth out the weld for an even cleaner look.




John

GoodfellaFD3S

iTrader: (213)

Nothing wrong at all, aside from an extra coolant hose.

Yup, as long as you know a good welder this is by far the best choice

Mattey

or maybe you use one of theese (sorry, i don't know the english name of it):

GoodfellaFD3S

iTrader: (213)

^^Silicone caps are not appropriate for a pressurized cooling system that can see temps of 110+ Celcius.

Sgtblue

iTrader: (16)

^And leaving it in place allows hot coolant from the engine to by-pass the radiator.
For reference:




I tapped and used a plug (IIRC 1/4 AN).

muibubbles

iTrader: (36)

Weld>tap and plug> hose with bolt and clamps

and somewhere in between those is jbweld...

dvo

iTrader: (22)

OK, I just did the AST Delete on saturday and I just ran the hose from the lower Thermostat nipple to the nipple on the lower part of the radiator. I thought that was a better option than having a random plug.

Sgtblue

iTrader: (16)

Not IMO. You're allowing a volumn of coolant to by-pass the radiator which isn't good. You also have an unnecessary hose in the engine bay, along with it's potential for failure. Removing the hose and properly installing a plug (or welding up the hole) virtually eliminates at least half that failure risk and forces all the coolant to go through the radiator.
It's not hard to do.

wstrohm

... which is exactly what the stock setup does (see post #15).

RENESISFD

iTrader: (13)

^ Yes, but when the ast is in place there is a flow restrictor in the line that greatly reduces the flow of coolant bypassing the radiator.



John

Sgtblue

iTrader: (16)

And leaving the hose in AFTER removing the AST is absolutely without purpose. Just additional consequence and risk.

Tig418

iTrader: (4)

I personally would go with finding a good welder to Tig up the holes

Sideo

im assuming you also use a FC neck in this application otherwise pressure cannot be vented. sounds alot cleaner than having a sketchy *** hose with a bolt in it. and also less work than drilling and tapping a plug.

dvo

iTrader: (22)

hmmm... ok, I'll look into getting this thing welded.

Tig418

iTrader: (4)

I happen to know a good welder