54 Chrysler Imperial 331 Longtail - Powerflite 2spd Is this thing really Needed? The shop manual says its a Cooler, however I have seen some hemi's without one. Just a 90 degree steel elbow bolted on the pump, then hose from there to the rad. Its in good shape exept for the neck is corroded and might need some welding. What is its function? Is it supposed to pre-cool the water before entering the rad? Can I eliminate it with an elbow and simplify my engine? My rad neck is in need of a little repair also. se pix Thanks guys.
OK, that explains it! Someone byp***ed the ****** cooler fluid lines to an after market trans cooler which is in front of the rad now. You can see the line in the picture. Metal line into rubber coming up from bottom of engine. That being the case, I can eliminate this thing altogether now, right? It does not have a function now. No ****** lines into it. Wanted: Elbow for water pump! For sale: ****** cooler - cheap! Will pay large amounts of cash for one elbow! Well not too large.
I run a 354 Hemi, get an exhaust flange that fits your W/P and an elbow from an exhaust pipe or header and weld the pipe in the direction you want, problem solved or at least it's worked for me the last 17 years or so.
I would say that the coolant chamber is there purely for asthetics....maybe to help redirect things in a more ergonomic fashion. I'd do as suggested above...get a flange and then and elbo and run the outlet/inlet in the best direction.
Good idea! I think I will just slice off the flange from the cooler and use it to weld an elbow on there like you suggested. Thanks guys. Problem solved. I'll post my progress.
The Jalopy Journal
