.....I see. Well, then, I guess 
(ME)! LOL!! Learn something new everyday. 
Another Heater Bypass Question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 185
Likes: 2
From: Long Valley NJ
Another Heater Bypass Question
Read through a bunch of posts on this topic but not sure about the final hose routing for a smallblock. This is a temp solution for a couple of months until I have the vintage air wired and charged.
I want to run hoses and not plugs. If I run a small hose from the water pump to the manifold wouldn't I be removing the expansion tank from the system? What is the impact if that?
Thanks for any help.
I want to run hoses and not plugs. If I run a small hose from the water pump to the manifold wouldn't I be removing the expansion tank from the system? What is the impact if that?
Thanks for any help.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 782
Likes: 1
From: Magic Valley ID
Read through a bunch of posts on this topic but not sure about the final hose routing for a smallblock. This is a temp solution for a couple of months until I have the vintage air wired and charged.
I want to run hoses and not plugs. If I run a small hose from the water pump to the manifold wouldn't I be removing the expansion tank from the system? What is the impact if that?
Thanks for any help.
I want to run hoses and not plugs. If I run a small hose from the water pump to the manifold wouldn't I be removing the expansion tank from the system? What is the impact if that?
Thanks for any help.
Well, hope this helps! Cheers!
Trevor
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
Yes you would be bypassing the heater core. I have done this on a few cars when the heater core started to leak and I was too lazy to replace them. It will not cause any issues other than not having heater inside the cabin. I would also hook a shop vac up to the heater core lines and suck out any water/coolant that still in there if you do disconnect and bypass them.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 782
Likes: 1
From: Magic Valley ID
......just another piece of online literature to help with what exactly the expansion tank "is" and "does". Copied from the "Car Stuff" website. The design is slightly different on ours, versus their description...but the premise is the same.
"The water pump is an indispensable component of the engine cooling system, and so is the coolant tank. But it has been found that the water pump often fails after a certain mileage and the coolant was found to be leaking from the shaft seal behind the pulley each time the engine is running. Replacing the pump, the thermostat housing, hoses and belts will not address this problem, because then, a new problem occurs, which is the fact that the coolant will slowly creep from the bottom of the coolant tank where the sensor is situated. The coolant then flows through the wires that are directed away from the sensor and eventually drips into the underbody pan and to the ground. The solution to this particular car trouble is to get a Chevy expansion tank replacement. The expansion tank which is usually made of plastic is sealed with the top and bottom portions fused together. This construction makes the expansion tank impossible to repair or even inspect. Four fittings are employed in the expansion tank, one for the top of the tank or the filler cap, one for the main inlet or outlet hose, one for the coolant overflow hose which is positioned at the top of the tank, and one snap connector for the sensor located at the bottom of the tank. The fittings designed for the hose include brass inserts inside the hose barbs to prevent the hose clamps from destroying the barbs which is in general, a good construction design. Looking after the welfare of the engine cooling system will pay off once you already experience the continuous comfortable and safe ride."
"The water pump is an indispensable component of the engine cooling system, and so is the coolant tank. But it has been found that the water pump often fails after a certain mileage and the coolant was found to be leaking from the shaft seal behind the pulley each time the engine is running. Replacing the pump, the thermostat housing, hoses and belts will not address this problem, because then, a new problem occurs, which is the fact that the coolant will slowly creep from the bottom of the coolant tank where the sensor is situated. The coolant then flows through the wires that are directed away from the sensor and eventually drips into the underbody pan and to the ground. The solution to this particular car trouble is to get a Chevy expansion tank replacement. The expansion tank which is usually made of plastic is sealed with the top and bottom portions fused together. This construction makes the expansion tank impossible to repair or even inspect. Four fittings are employed in the expansion tank, one for the top of the tank or the filler cap, one for the main inlet or outlet hose, one for the coolant overflow hose which is positioned at the top of the tank, and one snap connector for the sensor located at the bottom of the tank. The fittings designed for the hose include brass inserts inside the hose barbs to prevent the hose clamps from destroying the barbs which is in general, a good construction design. Looking after the welfare of the engine cooling system will pay off once you already experience the continuous comfortable and safe ride."
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
I have my heater system bypassed, and you would NOT bypass the overflow tank by doing this. The overflow comes from the small hose barb just below the radiator cap. The removal of the heater core does not negate the need for the system to expand as the coolant heats up and cools. All vehicles have some sort of expansion tank setup on them, or at least they are supposed to. Most tanks seem filled with crud and gunk, so now might be a good time to take the tank out and give it a good cleaning. The oil, grease, and grime in there will be stubborn, but use hot water and be persistent. This will prevent that garbage from being mixed with the clean coolant. Also check to make sure that the overflow hose is clean and free from blockage. It's a cheap piece of hose, and if in doubt, throw it out and get a new piece.
Well, hope this helps! Cheers!
Trevor
Well, hope this helps! Cheers!
Trevor
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 782
Likes: 1
From: Magic Valley ID
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