doing the UIM (Dorman) and LIM gasket soon
 

I've read a lot of good tips and info in the threads about this. However I didn't see a source for the antifreeze Elbow that is recommended to be replaced. Is this a dealer-only item? One other question, what is the best way of getting the air out of the coolant system after replacing these? Thanks!

Woody, Check this in Techinfo http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...=article&k=100
You can find lots of good information there.

Thanks, I always forget to look in TechInfo :? Also found the GM elbow # in JR's How-To.

Woody - yours will have 2 plastic coolant elbows...

Attachment 57885

#3, in the picture, which will be the one that you have the GM part number for, as well as #1 in the picture. When I tried to get a part number from a local GM dealer for that, they couldn't find one. If you're doing the work, I'd suggest replacing both elbows. The Dorman Help #47065 has both elbows in the package.

Archon,

How did you get that image? Did you scan it directly out of an FSM or do you have an AllData account? :D

Dick...are you sure 00's have both elbows? I thought that was early S2's.

Alldata account Mac...

Nah, the early SII, (at least my '95) just has one plastic elbow for the joint to the LIM. The water pump fitting is an elbow cast into the tensioner assembly with its own o-ring. Here's a pic of an early SeriesII:

Attachment 57878

While we are actually ON the topic, does anyone know a source for aluminum rather than plastic coolant elbows? I have heard them referred to here on BC, but none of my local parts houses know anything about them.

Woody, you did read the Techinfo article on the UIM/LIM I hope?
http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...e=article&k=38

Bill, so far as I can tell the metal version of the coolant elbow is no more than a myth. I'd love it if someone could prove me wrong on this, but.....don't think so....

Yep, great writeup. Mine had the new UIM gasket kit put on under warranty, but it seemed to be using some coolant lately. I'm watching it (exhaust, oil, ice cube tray) closely and rounding up the parts!

"...ice cube tray..." LOL! :lol:

Won't hurt to keep an eye on it. ;)

Macdrive - I got that from 2 different sources. One is from my AllData account, and the other is from the dealer's parts counter where they said..."yep, that's the one. I don't know the part number, though - and we don't carry it!"

Boosty - the 99 L36s and the 00 L67s that I've recently done both had that second elbow. I'll have tor remember to check the 98 Buick Regal GS that I just had my daughter buy, but from reading what people have posted, it sounds like '98 was the last year for the metal one.

Bill and Lash - I've run into the same things when asking about a metal version of the elbows. It's been like "Big Foot". " Done heard tell about it, but ain't actually seen one." :lol:

hmmmm, beginning to sense a trend here.

[quote="lash"]"...ice cube tray..." LOL! :lol:

Someone else on here dubbed it that earlier, good name for it. I hope I never see Ice Cubes in it though :D

Nooo not bigfoot

http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...ht=metal+elbow

I believe it's in the prototype stages

Yeah, yeah, we all saw that, but more than once there has been mention of a metal elbow to purchase, even before that thread....ahhh...never mind. :D

Besides, how long is this thing going to take to prototype? It's been four months since that thread. I know that I'm ready to buy a completed product....

Ok, I gather these elbows don't last long judging by how bad everybody wants metal ones :D Now, does anyone feel the Dorman (Help) elbow materials may not be up to the job, compared to GM elbows? I am only asking, since the materials could be pretty critical for the high temp, corrosive coolant. If everyone had as frequent problems with the GM elbow, I'll go ahead and pick up the Help elbow.

The coolant elbows will fail, sooner or later. It's generally after many miles, but as something will have to be removed to replace them (tensioner and/or LIM) it is recommended to replace them while you have things apart. Why take things apart again later just to replace the elbows?

I don't know if anyone has done a study or comparison between the Dorman and the GM elbows. Bill Wren had a bad O-ring on a GM elbow, and BillBoost had a Dorman warp. I've used the Dormans on 4 vehicles without any issues, so far.

Dorman does not make the elbows themselves. I've looked at both and aside from the O'ring coating color, cannot tell the difference.

From what I've seen here as feedback from people using them, there isn't a clear choice between them.