Heater Hose - Aluminum Parts Upgrade

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Yukon_driver

TYF Newbie
Joined
Mar 12, 2024
Posts
9
Reaction score
16
Has anyone replaced the plastic hose connections on the firewall with metal aftermarket parts? Specifically the Dorman T connector and the Dorman 800-409 adapter? I attached pictures of these parts below for your reference. I have ordered these parts because I want to minimize the risk of failure in my coolant system, especially something that does fail so universally on these engines!

Anyway, I was hoping to get advice from someone who knows: should I expect to replace any O rings in this process? If so, can someone please provide me with a part number? I have had a pretty difficult time determing from the websites if I need new O rings and there is very little to find about them on youtube. Also, would anyone know the part number for the plastic clips that snap the adapters into place or will I need to transfer those from the old T connectors?

Thank you for your help!

Dorman T-Connector.pngDorman Adapter.png
 

Tonyrodz

Resident Resident
Joined
Feb 16, 2012
Posts
32,086
Reaction score
48,318
Location
Central Jersey
Has anyone replaced the plastic hose connections on the firewall with metal aftermarket parts? Specifically the Dorman T connector and the Dorman 800-409 adapter? I attached pictures of these parts below for your reference. I have ordered these parts because I want to minimize the risk of failure in my coolant system, especially something that does fail so universally on these engines!

Anyway, I was hoping to get advice from someone who knows: should I expect to replace any O rings in this process? If so, can someone please provide me with a part number? I have had a pretty difficult time determing from the websites if I need new O rings and there is very little to find about them on youtube. Also, would anyone know the part number for the plastic clips that snap the adapters into place or will I need to transfer those from the old T connectors?

Thank you for your help!

View attachment 453901View attachment 453903
Pretty sure @89Suburban swapped his. He has a GMT900, but those are pretty much the same parts between the 2.
 

rockola1971

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 29, 2016
Posts
2,756
Reaction score
3,845
Location
Indiana (formerly IL)
Has anyone replaced the plastic hose connections on the firewall with metal aftermarket parts? Specifically the Dorman T connector and the Dorman 800-409 adapter? I attached pictures of these parts below for your reference. I have ordered these parts because I want to minimize the risk of failure in my coolant system, especially something that does fail so universally on these engines!

Anyway, I was hoping to get advice from someone who knows: should I expect to replace any O rings in this process? If so, can someone please provide me with a part number? I have had a pretty difficult time determing from the websites if I need new O rings and there is very little to find about them on youtube. Also, would anyone know the part number for the plastic clips that snap the adapters into place or will I need to transfer those from the old T connectors?

Thank you for your help!

View attachment 453901View attachment 453903
Lock clips and oring should already be installed on the new parts. Every replacement ive ever used has them installed. The top picture shows the clips installed. Cant tell on the bottom pic. You should be able to reuse your old locks if needed and assuming they are compatible with the new parts. Orings can be bought at just about any hardware store. They are nothing special since gas or oil is not involved.
 

89Suburban

Bull in the china shop
Supporting Member
Joined
Jan 10, 2013
Posts
15,782
Reaction score
44,478
Location
SE PA
Pretty sure @89Suburban swapped his. He has a GMT900, but those are pretty much the same parts between the 2.

Iamdub/Chris installed them and texted me the photos and info. I don't think he did that adaptor though. I have not seen that piece before in metal.

Links to the metal tee pics:


 

Joseph Garcia

Supporting Member
Joined
Aug 2, 2018
Posts
8,007
Reaction score
11,072
Has anyone replaced the plastic hose connections on the firewall with metal aftermarket parts? Specifically the Dorman T connector and the Dorman 800-409 adapter? I attached pictures of these parts below for your reference. I have ordered these parts because I want to minimize the risk of failure in my coolant system, especially something that does fail so universally on these engines!

Anyway, I was hoping to get advice from someone who knows: should I expect to replace any O rings in this process? If so, can someone please provide me with a part number? I have had a pretty difficult time determing from the websites if I need new O rings and there is very little to find about them on youtube. Also, would anyone know the part number for the plastic clips that snap the adapters into place or will I need to transfer those from the old T connectors?

Thank you for your help!

View attachment 453901View attachment 453903
I would either use (1) OEM plastic Tees (Dorman plastic tees don't last as long), or (2) use the Gruven metal Tees.

When you change out the tees, be sure to wear gloves, as the firewall insulation is quite aggressive, and your hands will itch for days.
 
OP
OP
Yukon_driver

Yukon_driver

TYF Newbie
Joined
Mar 12, 2024
Posts
9
Reaction score
16
Iamdub/Chris installed them and texted me the photos and info. I don't think he did that adaptor though. I have not seen that piece before in metal.

Links to the metal tee pics:


I was not able to view the pictures, says I don't have permission or something like that. Could you drop the picture directly into the post maybe? It would be really cool to see the metal T's installed on someones system before I get started!
 
OP
OP
Yukon_driver

Yukon_driver

TYF Newbie
Joined
Mar 12, 2024
Posts
9
Reaction score
16
Lock clips and oring should already be installed on the new parts. Every replacement ive ever used has them installed. The top picture shows the clips installed. Cant tell on the bottom pic. You should be able to reuse your old locks if needed and assuming they are compatible with the new parts. Orings can be bought at just about any hardware store. They are nothing special since gas or oil is not involved.
Great, thanks! I just got the adapter from the second picture today and thankfully it does have the rubber seal on the inside and the clip is also pre-installed
 

Fless

Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Apr 2, 2017
Posts
13,175
Reaction score
26,818
Location
Elev 5,280
I was not able to view the pictures, says I don't have permission or something like that. Could you drop the picture directly into the post maybe? It would be really cool to see the metal T's installed on someones system before I get started!

You should be able to view the pics now.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
134,275
Posts
1,899,376
Members
99,764
Latest member
bmxbry9
Top