469 replies to this topic

[ls2lxhatch]

The steam line is there purge air/steam from the water jacket in the heads.

 

The water pump method is used by a http://hotrodlane.cc/ however I have connected mine to the radiator. The picture below is from this pdf.

 

http://www.hotrodlan...onze Camaro.pdf

 

While we are on the subject the heater outlets on the water pump are part of the thermostat bypass system. If you are not connecting a heater then there is a U shaped hose available to join the two ports. If you are running a heater then water should always flow through the heater like the stock Torana heater. The Commodore has a heater bypass tap that allows the flow to be stopped the heater but still flow back to the water pump.

 

Edited by ls2lxhatch, 29 July 2013 - 01:52 AM.

[ls2lxhatch]

The lines are too small to flow enough coolant to make them an external cooling passage.

 

The theory is that the coolant in the heads can overheat and produce a steam pocket which can then block coolant flow to an area of the head. The steam lines are big enough to ensure that the steam is not trapped in the head. Early LS motors had front and rear steam lines, on later motors the rears are blocked. Some people advise that the rears should also be plumbed on a high performance engine.

 

http://www.pirate4x4...avista/Cooling/

 

 

Same goes for the guy down the street (or on the internet)- who's advice you're considering taking - just because he says "I just plugged the steam ports and haven't had any problems" doesn't mean his cooling system works well or that it won't cause problems down the road.

 

 

Steam pockets or localized coolant boiling can occur when excessive heat is generated (because of a lean condition, excessive ignition advance, or faulty cooling system) causing the coolant to reach its vapour point and spontaneously change state from liquid to gas - in other words - boil. This is sometimes referred to as "flashing to steam". The problem usually occurs first in the combustion chamber area because it is the hottest region. When this happens - a vicious cycle begins - cylinder head hot spots cause steam pockets - steam pockets tend to "stick" in the highest area (the head) - steam cannot contribute to cooling and displaces much needed coolant - the excessively hot cylinder head experiences detonation and/or pre-ignition - which in turn creates excessive heat which causes hot spots and localized coolant boiling and steam pockets to form and so on.

 

I would not plumb them into the inlet hose as you are just reintroducing the steam into the system.

Edited by ls2lxhatch, 29 July 2013 - 11:47 AM.

[Heath]

You want that shit to go to a header tank of some description.

[ls2lxhatch]

People are taping into the outlet of the water pump not the inlet.

 

If the steam line is run to the top of the radiator or to the outlet of the water pump then it can also be used to purge air from the system when changing coolant.

[DanWA]

Will dig through my notes, i am sure i researched all this and got some great help from the blokes at ls1.com.au

 

I am very much jealous of how far you have got with yours!