water tube for straight eight flathead

[mightmo52]

hello all, i will be doing a rebuild on my 48 chrysler new yorker engine as it smokes heavily. does anyone know where to purchase a 8 cylinder water tube?

[Dodgeb4ya]

Repro- semi close to OE Brass ones were made in So Cal about 20 years ago.... last I have ever seen any.

[classiccarjack]

Out of curiosity, are they similar to the six, only longer to accommodate the extra 2 cylinders?  If so, perhaps you can locate two for the six and cut and weld it to the correct length...  I hope that could be a viable solution.

[BobT-47P15]

Click on the link........this seller on eBay is selling a tube for a 6 cy l........might contact him thru

eBay and inquire if he might have one for an eight.......just a shot in the dark.................

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1936-54-CHRYSLER-DESOTO-6-CYLINDER-WATER-DISTRIBUTION-TUBE-317-/401290707491?hash=item5d6eca4223:g:QTcAAOSw2gxYxwO2&vxp=mtr

[BobT-47P15]

This guy is saying he has a 25" tube, which also fits trucks.........he seems to have lots of things........so

check with him asap.....................

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-1935-1959-CHRYSLER-DESOTO-WATER-DISTRIBUTION-TUBE-ALSO-FITS-35-56-TRUCKS-25-/182438187814?hash=item2a7a29d326:g:B90AAOSw7FRWXc0c&vxp=mtr

[BobT-47P15]

Here is an interesting and probably useful bit of info from one eBay seller..........just putting it out here

as it relates to the water tubes.   I think I bought an aluminum water tube at Carlisle a couple years ago to

have on hand for a future rebuild.......guess it would be OK to use.

 

 

Visit our eBay Store: TemeculaValleyMoPar   Recondition your 1937-54 DeSoto and Chrysler flathead-six cooling system with this set consisting of a new water-distribution tube and new water jacket core plugs. Since the water pump must be removed to replace the distribution tube, we've also include a new gasket. A rusted-out distribution tube is a major cause of overheating and rusted-out core plugs are a major cause of leaks   Chrysler Corp's L-head engines incorporated formed sheetmetal tubes to direct coolant from the output of the waterpump to each cylinder. These "water distribution tubes" were originally made of galvanized steel and of course rust-out over time which leads to engine overheating. We offer a distribution tube kit on which also includes new core (freeze) plugs. Frequently we are asked if we can supply the replacement tube and core plugs in brass. The answer is NO. Because the engine block is made of a ferrous metal (iron), everything in contact with the iron block and the coolant water should also be made of an iron-based metal. If  you remember your high school chemistry class, you learned that if you immerse two dis-similar metals (iron and brass) in an electrolyte (the coolant water), you will have created a galvanic battery cell that will rapidly erode the least "noble" metal part (your engine bock). You don't want that! Making sure that any metal parts used in the cooling passages are made of a ferrous (iron-based) metal will keep the erosion to a minimum. Because of this, you probably won't find a brass water distribution tube but there are mechanics that will try to install brass core plugs into your engine's water jacket. Don't let them!

[Andydodge]

Bob...interesting article re brass bits..........I've never seen a brass water tube but have heard that they existed..........however as for the core, freeze or welch plugs..........whenever I have had to replace the rusted out steel plugs I have always replaced them with brass plugs, without exception..........and as for the possible corrosion, well, when I rebuilt the 318 Poly that's in my 1940 Dodge in 1974/75....its that long ago I can't remember which year now but when I rebuilt it I know it ended up with brass plugs and 41/42 yrs later they and the area where they live is as good as the day they went in.......regular use of radiator inhibitor might also have something to do with this but I'll always use brass plugs.........lol.................regards, andyd    

[Dodgeb4ya]

I have seen many brass tubes... Temecula is so full of it....

 What about marine and industrial engines Temecula.....????????????

[classiccarjack]

Yeah, brass plugs for me too.  I dismantled my six after 15 years and well over 100,000 miles. The block looked spotless and clean inside.  None of the metal was corroded.  I am a firm believer in changing my coolant every 4 to 5 years.  Thus preventing the antifreeze from becoming caustic....In all the years of being abused as a mechanic, the only rotted plugs I found were a result of neglect or lack of maintenance.

[Dodgeb4ya]

Many MoPar flatheads use two brass soft plugs stacked against each other on the rear core plug hole at the backside of the block. So there will never be a leak at the back of the engine....also brass at the front behind the front motor support plate.

 Shown is an original 1954 Chrysler 265 with all rear factory block brass core plugs.

The Dodge 230 engine was rebuilt and has steel plugs. The top left water jacket core plug was originally brass. It should have been replaced with brass .

Brass block drain cock iats used at  the lower side of the block and a copper temperature bulb in the head. Boy there's a mix of different Non ferrous metals.

Bronze or brass bushings in the water pump as OE equipment on the six cylinder engines from the factory.

Straight eights use ball bearings in the WP.

 

Edited May 29, 2017 by Dodgeb4ya

[classiccarjack]

20 minutes ago, Dodgeb4ya said:

Many MoPar flatheads use two brass soft plugs stacked against each other on the rear core plug hole at the backside of the block. So there will never be a leak at the back of the engine....also brass at the front behind the front motor support plate.

 Shown is an original 1954 Chrysler 265 with all rear factory block brass core plugs.

The Dodge 230 engine was rebuilt and has steel plugs. The top left water jacket core plug was originally brass. It should have been replaced with brass .

Brass block drain cock iats used at  the lower side of the block and a copper temperature bulb in the head. Boy there's a mix of different Non ferrous metals.

Bronze or brass bushings in the water pump as OE equipment on the six cylinder engines from the factory.

Straight eights use ball bearings in the WP.

 

Good to know, thanks Dodgeb4ya. 

[mightmo52]

wow thanks mr b4ya, i bought a tube from the man bobt47p15 refereed me to he was very nice and had one instock for me at a great price too.

[Dodgeb4ya]

Did he tell you the length of the 8 cylinder tube? Make sure he's got the correct one!

31-1/8" is the correct over all length.

Edited May 29, 2017 by Dodgeb4ya