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Heater-Core Bypass... How?

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Old Jul 5, 2008 | 03:54 PM
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Default Heater-Core Bypass... How?

Hmmmm, so... I have been trying to make sense of the hose routing to bypass my newly discovered, slow leak heater core.

I have read & re-read my Haynes & shop book too. Scoured the Cforum for pictures or simple instructions as to "what hose goes where?"


anyone who has done this with pictures or able to send a step-by-step tutorial for a by-pass noobie would be totally helpful!!!


I just want to simply bypass the heater core until later this winter when I have more time to do the whole enchilada
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Old Jul 5, 2008 | 04:00 PM
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Just install plugs (buy at Advance Auto and others) for the engine and water pump where the hoses are attached and get rid the engine of the hoses. It's that simple.
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Old Jul 5, 2008 | 04:06 PM
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The simplest (maybe not most elegant) means to reach your goal to bypass HC is this:

See where the small hose connects at water pump and extends to HC? check
See where the small hose connects at intake maifold and also extends to HC? check

simply connect a hose between both those two nipples: one at water pump and one at intake manifold. Yes, one hose has ID about 1/8" bigger than the other ... simply stretch one hose or squash one ... that's how it's done. If you haven't already realized it, please know that when you take the HC out of loop, it's true the heater won't have coolant flowing through it and won't work ... but ... the defroster won't work either.

edit ... jud answered before I saw his ... plugs work fine too ... but looping a hose can be done on roadside.
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Old Jul 5, 2008 | 06:00 PM
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*EDIT* SORRY- I re-read original post! I thought the OP wanted to by-pass heater core for the usual heat in cockpit reasons. I didn't see he had a leak issue. To completly bypass heater core, below ain't the way


Go to nearest auto parts, or home depot/lowes, and get 2 cut off valves - 1 5/8ths and 1 1/4th. Also get 4 clamps (they will be at the same location).

Locate the previously identified hoses - one from water pump to heater core, other intake to heater core.

Take a knife, and cut the hoses - I cut mine at thier highest (or highest convient) location to limit the amount of coolant leak.

Insert the valves and clamp them in tightly.

The valves allow you to easily open or close the hot coolant flow - you should open the valves once every month or so to flush out the coolant that is sitting in the heater core.

Last edited by Mashman; Jul 5, 2008 at 06:10 PM.
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Old Jul 5, 2008 | 08:12 PM
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Waterpump to intake manifold.

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Old Jul 6, 2008 | 12:17 PM
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Default I did it... I think?

Hey gang, thank you for the tips & ideas for the by-pass.

before I fire it up, did I do these correct?



I think that's right. Just hose the water pump to the intake, right?


Like I said, total noob on this type of repair. Never done it before.


Last edited by Vette80regon; Jul 6, 2008 at 12:47 PM.
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Old Jul 6, 2008 | 01:08 PM
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That'll work, its just kind of messy. If you are going to have the heater disconnected permanently, I would pick up some plugs, one for the heater and one for the block.
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Old Jul 6, 2008 | 01:24 PM
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Thanks Jud,
Totally appreciate this.


I actually read many of your prior posts on this subject. Thanks again!
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Old Jul 6, 2008 | 01:27 PM
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Originally Posted by Jud Chapin
That'll work, its just kind of messy. If you are going to have the heater disconnected permanently, I would pick up some plugs, one for the heater and one for the block.
No need to loop the system
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Old Jul 6, 2008 | 01:53 PM
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Originally Posted by Vette80regon
Thanks Jud,
Totally appreciate this.


I actually read many of your prior posts on this subject. Thanks again!
You are welcome!
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Old Jul 6, 2008 | 01:54 PM
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Originally Posted by Vette80regon
Hey gang, thank you for the tips & ideas for the by-pass.

before I fire it up, did I do these correct?



I think that's right. Just hose the water pump to the intake, right?


Like I said, total noob on this type of repair. Never done it before.

Hey there Vette8Oregon
I noticed in your picture of your engine, (nice looking engine) that you have a rubber hose spliced on to your discharge fuel pump fuel line.
It looks like it could be clamped on there as a protecter for the fuel line or it's a splice in the line.
If it's a rubber hose splice on the pressure line you might want to replace the steel discharge line from the fuel pump to the carb.
I can assure you you dont want to find out what happens when fuel starts to leak out underpressure and setting on a hot engine. I am in no way trying to tell you what to do but I try to look at the safety side of thigs first. I just bought a new line for my SB & it was 24.00$ and now I can sleep at night.
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Old Jul 6, 2008 | 03:00 PM
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Originally Posted by GPGG70
Hey there Vette8Oregon
I noticed in your picture of your engine, (nice looking engine) that you have a rubber hose spliced on to your discharge fuel pump fuel line.
It looks like it could be clamped on there as a protecter for the fuel line or it's a splice in the line.
If it's a rubber hose splice on the pressure line you might want to replace the steel discharge line from the fuel pump to the carb.
I can assure you you dont want to find out what happens when fuel starts to leak out underpressure and setting on a hot engine. I am in no way trying to tell you what to do but I try to look at the safety side of thigs first. I just bought a new line for my SB & it was 24.00$ and now I can sleep at night.
Good eye. You definitely want to replace that partial hose line with a steel one asap.
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Old Jul 6, 2008 | 03:57 PM
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Your loop will supply lots of hot water from the manifold right back into the pump. Bypassing the radiator!

If motor temp is not a problem....................... go for it!

I was gone on a 8 day vacation and when I came back the boss decided to not send me along with the GT-40 and Bizzarini for the 11-13th races at PIR. I'm a little bumbed because the new guy gets to go.

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Old Jul 6, 2008 | 04:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Vette80regon
Hey gang, thank you for the tips & ideas for the by-pass.

before I fire it up, did I do these correct?



I think that's right. Just hose the water pump to the intake, right?


Like I said, total noob on this type of repair. Never done it before.

That's what I did but my A/C compressor blocks the view in the pic above. Believe me it works as an inexpensive band-aid solution until the new heater core goes in.
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Old Jul 6, 2008 | 10:31 PM
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Thanks gang!

I'll be picking up plugs from the auto store tonight!


Oh... The fuel line. I never even thought of that before.
Is there a metal, one-piece line from the fuel pump to the carb?

Geshhh... I've never even heard of that before. I'll be inquiring on that too.


Thanks again
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Old Jul 6, 2008 | 11:22 PM
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Default Plugs

What size plugs do you need for the water pump and the intake?

1/2" ?
3/4" ?
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Old Jul 7, 2008 | 12:21 AM
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Originally Posted by Vette80regon
Thanks gang!

I'll be picking up plugs from the auto store tonight!


Oh... The fuel line. I never even thought of that before.
Is there a metal, one-piece line from the fuel pump to the carb?

Geshhh... I've never even heard of that before. I'll be inquiring on that too.


Thanks again
If your looking to improve the looks as well as clean up the fuel hose splice, you may want to consider a braided line. JEGS, Summit, Speedway; I think they all carry fuel line kits for small blocks.
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To Heater-Core Bypass... How?

Old Jul 7, 2008 | 07:40 AM
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Heater core is really not a hard job BTW....
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Old Jul 7, 2008 | 07:46 AM
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It looks like you have something other than a Quadrajet? If so, any preformed fuel line you buy will need to be modified.

Regardless, what you have needs to be changed. Put some insulating material around the line where it touched the coolant hose.
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Old Jul 7, 2008 | 09:22 AM
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Originally Posted by jim2527
It looks like you have something other than a Quadrajet? If so, any preformed fuel line you buy will need to be modified.

Regardless, what you have needs to be changed. Put some insulating material around the line where it touched the coolant hose.
It's hard to see but we might be looking at this (old setup on my 1967).

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