Hello fellow "F"-Chatters, This weekend I'm going to attempt to replace a Water Union (Drivers side, water heater nipple), which is a little corroded on my 1979 308GTB. I could use any tips on how to remove this thing from the engine block. The nipple is threaded and screws in ward. I might have to resort to using a tap, but wanted to see if it could be done without it. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks, Guys, Chris
If it is only a "little corroded" and the engine is in the car, you may want to leave it. You can try just an easy-out, however removing that pipe nipple might be difficult and require you to heat it up with a torch to break the nipple loose. I would try to heat it red if possible with an oxy acetylene outfit then tap a spiral easy-out in to the nipple and try to wrench out out with a socket on the back of the easy-out (a 12 point might fit the square shank well enough to extract the nipple. Mark Image Unavailable, Please Login
That was a brilliant idea! I see it working! The use on an easy-out, I wouldnt have thought of that! On my was to Sears to buy one Thanks a lot! Chris
I had to remove a badly corroded one from my water pump housing. I simply found the proper tap drill size and a tap. Drill it out and re-tap it. Not sure if it would be any harder or have any negative effects working on the block though.
