Broken Rear Manifold Coolant Connector Repair

[scottymcdee]

I broke the rear manifold pot metal coolant quick disconnect, here's how I fixed it. I went to Autozone and got an older chevrolet coolant fitting from a 60's-70's chevy. (The larger fitting that comes out of the top of the water pump). I think the threads are 5/8-11 or 5/8-18. I then bought the corresponding tap. I left the broken threaded part in the manifold since the ID of the broken piece is real close to the size needed for the tap I bought. WITH DOWN PRESSURE, I was able to thread the ID of the broken off piece still in the manifold to the tap size I bought, install the purchased fitting, run my hose and I got heat again. Never leaked since I used Ultra Black on the threads. I'm a machinist by trade, scratched my brain for awhile before I came up with that fix. You will have to file the top of the broken piece reasonably flat to get the tap started. Make sure you keep pressure on the tap or it will dig in and then start stripping out because the ID is a little tight for that tap and pot metal is soft. Pain to do since you are contorted on top of the motor, but if I can do it, anyone can.