chassis heater plumbing in engine bay

[markusfmeyer]

I'm replacing the 1" chassis heater hoses in the engine bay, so while I'm doing that, I'm replacing the old boiler valves with the newer style ball valves. Question I have is around types. I am getting brass ball valves. What is there now is a combination of 90 degree elbows, 45 degree elbows, boiler valves, close nipples and smooth hose ends. Everything appears to be "black iron" or something similar. I was going to replace it all, but I'm finding some of this stuff is pricier than I expected, or hard to find. The 90 and 45 degree elbows are easily enough sourced, as are the close nipples. i wish they made valves with the nipples already on for fewer connections, but so be it. Not sure the best way to spin a close nipple in two pipes without messing up the threads?

The hard to find parts are the "smooth hose ends" where the 1" heater hose attaches to. I have found some barbed ones in brass, or smooth ones in brass (made in China unfortunately), the barbed are about $5 each, the smooth about $15! Needing 10, that isn't cheap. Plus, now I'm wondering about the combination of metals....black iron and brass mixed around. Could have black iron into block as a 90 elbow, then close nipple in black iron, then ball valve in brass, then 45 in black iron, then smooth hose end in brass. Does this matter mixing "metals" like this?