OK, some V8's have a bypass hose, even 350's...from water pump input to under the thermostat, so as water allways circulated through that 'pesky' hose...
the custom bent one, hard to get on and off with many water pumps of various designs, being an absolute bitch on old Oldsmobile engines...
so question is, IF the heater circuit is allowed to be open, that hose is not needed, I suppose, I don't use it in my car anyway....I have a 350 L98 type setup....so why is that hose there??? it's continuelouly bypassing the thermostat.....
what is the point??? better more even water circulation?? my pump in the L98 had no other ports than for the heater hose and the main return rad hose...

IF the heater is turned off, leaving NO bypass, what seems to be the general consensus of engine operation??? mine seems normal...but I do wonder about possible problems of over temping heads??? untill the circulation is restored anyway....

I got to questioning this, for years I noticed how a 318 Dodge would take damn near 5 miles od driving before heat would come outof the heaters...
blocking their bypass hose cured the problem...allmost instant heat....
common problem with Dodge, but not chebby or old Pontiac...so what gives???

GENE