68 Heater hose question

[Robert Holmes]

I've got a 68 L79 with AC. There are two short connecting pipes in the heater hoses where the hoses run along the inner fender. They were on the car when I bought it in '75, but I can't find reference to them in the assembly manual or the chevy repair manual. One is in the 5/8 hose, a short straight connecting pipe, thin brass, hose clamp at each end. The other in the 3/4 hose is thinwalled steel, curved, about 8 inches long, located at the bend where the hose turns from in front of the engine to meet the firewall.

Are these original? If so, where can I find reference to them, and/or find a replacement for the curved pipe? It's pretty rusty and looks like it'll leak soon.
Thanks

[Joe L.]

Re: 68 Heater hose question

Robert-----

I am not familiar with the cooling system "connectors" which you described. Also, I can find no parts reference for them even in period parts publications. So, I expect that they were added by someone in the past. But, it is possible that they were factory-original parts installed during some "interim" period and not recorded in presently available editions of the AIM or elsewhere

For 68s with A/C, the heater hoses were molded and had a molded bend near where they connect to the heater core. It's possible that the "connectors" which you describe were added to enable the use of non-molded, auto parts store-type heater hoses.

I believe that reproduction, molded hoses are available from Dr. Rebuild and other vendors.

[Joe L.]

Re: 68 Heater hose question

Robert-----

I am not familiar with the cooling system "connectors" which you described. Also, I can find no parts reference for them even in period parts publications. So, I expect that they were added by someone in the past. But, it is possible that they were factory-original parts installed during some "interim" period and not recorded in presently available editions of the AIM or elsewhere

For 68s with A/C, the heater hoses were molded and had a molded bend near where they connect to the heater core. It's possible that the "connectors" which you describe were added to enable the use of non-molded, auto parts store-type heater hoses.

I believe that reproduction, molded hoses are available from Dr. Rebuild and other vendors.

[Robert Holmes]

Re: 68 Heater hose question

Joe,
I did find reference in the assy manual C60 D3, showing a "nipple" part no. 3393349. I don't know how to tell what exactly it is, but it looks like it could be what I have in my 5/8 hose. If I'm reading the assy manual right, it was added by revision to the assy manual on 3-5-68. I suppose actual implementation could be well on either side of that date.
Robert Holmes

[Robert Holmes]

Re: 68 Heater hose question

Joe,
I did find reference in the assy manual C60 D3, showing a "nipple" part no. 3393349. I don't know how to tell what exactly it is, but it looks like it could be what I have in my 5/8 hose. If I'm reading the assy manual right, it was added by revision to the assy manual on 3-5-68. I suppose actual implementation could be well on either side of that date.
Robert Holmes