Hi,
i want to change the radiator water hose on my 68 Malibu.
Now the car have installed a universal water hose and i’d like to change it with the original.
The problem is the water neck it’s not in the right position for the 1968 small block because the engine is a 1966 Corvette 327,if you can see on the picture,the water neck turned on the driver side.

http://www.pdani.it/public/§kinnyboy/chevelle%20engine%20resize.jpg

Can i fix the original water hose with this kind of water neck?
Thi is a 15° swivel water neck by Trans Dapt .
Sorry for my bad english and thank you all in advance.


http://www.tdperformance.com/images_products/6820.jpg

Your English is fine; is your radiator stock for a 1968 small block? The thermostat housing (a.k.a. "water neck") in your picture looks like stock for a 1968 Chevelle 307 as illustrated on rockauto.com catalogue. If your radiator is stock,I'd try to obtain the correct molded hose for 1968 small block. The swivel neck strikes me as an expensive solution that would not be as good as stock or original replacement (OE) parts.

Hi JJ,thank you for the replay.
The radiator is 68 stock but the engine is a 1966 small block.
The problem is the bolts position on the intake manifold.
I'd like to don't change the original water neck but in this way i can't instal the original molded hose.
the water neck looks forward, mine look on the driver side.
The original hose passes in front of the alternator and, as has my water neck is installed, the original hose do not match.

I hope you understand what i mean.

1968 intake manifold
http://www.wernersparts.com/images/photos2/IM000103.JPG

This is mine
http://www.wernersparts.com/images/photos2/IM000107.JPG

OK, I understand. I won't say yes, for sure; but your idea is worth a try. It looks like it should work OK. If you can return the parts for a refund or exchange if they don't match up, I'd try it.

Unfortunately I am forced to buy in the United States and i don't think to return the item if it does not work (shipping rate much high from Italy).
But the water neck is not much expensive and I'l try this way.
Otherwise I'll make a gift to a friend.

When the spare parts arrive to me I' l inform you if it will work fine.

:waving:

Hi to all,
i've just to finish to fix my Malibu.
The old and rotten radiator's rows was changed and repaint.
New hose was installed and the swivel water neck work great.
Now the car run well and the engine come at 170/180° also in the city traffic.
The total price is around 40 $(water neck + shipping rate + custom fees)

Following the pictures of the job:

The water inlet on the intake manifold is not in good condition

http://www.pdani.it/public/§kinnyboy/manifold%20hall.JPG

As you can see,the o-ring is a bit larger then manifold hole

http://www.pdani.it/public/§kinnyboy/hall%20o%20ring.JPG

So i had to build a stainless steel plate that push the o-ring in the water neck place to prevent water losses

http://www.pdani.it/public/§kinnyboy/Plate.JPG

Gasket and thermostat (180°) was installed

http://www.pdani.it/public/§kinnyboy/gasket%20tgermostat.JPG

and steel plate and water neck was bolt on the manifold

http://www.pdani.it/public/§kinnyboy/water%20neck%201.JPG

The end of the game

http://www.pdani.it/public/§kinnyboy/complete.JPG

Thanks for the update. Nice metal work. Italians do nice metal work. I had a '59 Ducati. Beautiful engine. A "jewel". "Candy Apple Red" paint didn't last long in the California sun though...