heater hose shut off value...harmful?
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
heater hose shut off value...harmful?
Hello, i was at a show this past weekend and i noticed that a guy had a shoutoff value in between the heater hose and the heater core on his C3. He sid this should eliminate alot of the heat im getting into the drivers compartment. When i asked him about it he said that any autoparts store will have these. When i asked them at the parts store they didnt understand what i was asking for. I have a couple of questions on this subject.
1) what is this part called so i can ask them for it at the parts store:
2) will this damage any parts(like the water pump) by putting additonal pressure into engine?
3) Do i need a shutoff value on both the supply and return or will just the supply stop the water from getting to the core?
4) what size do i need if i need both shotoff values?
any help would be appreciated. thanks
1) what is this part called so i can ask them for it at the parts store:
2) will this damage any parts(like the water pump) by putting additonal pressure into engine?
3) Do i need a shutoff value on both the supply and return or will just the supply stop the water from getting to the core?
4) what size do i need if i need both shotoff values?
any help would be appreciated. thanks
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 396
Likes: 3
From: Buffalo New York
Vettes with a/c came with a heater control valve, controlled by vacuum. When you turned on the a/c, the valve closed, keeping hot air from circulating thru the heater core, and entering the cockpit. A lot of guys install a plumbing shutoff valve in the feed line to the heater, so that no hot air flows thru the heater core during summer, keeping you cooler, even without running a/c. All you need is a valve, 2 adapters from hose to threaded pipe, and 2 hose clamps, from your local hardware store.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,070
Likes: 5
From: N.Richland Hills Texas
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...s-of-heat.html .. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...kpit-heat.html ... So, along that line.. If I turn ON my A/C without it working, would that close the valve ???
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 396
Likes: 3
From: Buffalo New York
I use a brass shutoff valve, the one with the round shutoff (gate valve). I've had it on my car for 4 years, no problems. Once or twice a year, I open it to flush coolant thru the core, otherwise it's closed all the time.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Racer
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
From: Easton pennsylvania
I'll be doing this when I put my motor back in, just incase the heater core ever starts to leak.. Just a little insurance.
Anyone have any pictures of where/how they installed the shut off lalves??
- X
Anyone have any pictures of where/how they installed the shut off lalves??
- X
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 396
Likes: 3
From: Buffalo New York
Put it (or them) where you can get at them. Mine are near the top of the wheelwell.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
I got a brass one with the lever at Lowe's. Didn't want the risk of a plastic one giving up when I least expected it. I installed mine in the same line as shown in the above photo, but installed it lower, along the inside of the right-front fender. I painted the valve and lever semi-flat black so it would blend into the 'background' and not be so noticible. The lever action was more preferable to me as "ON" or "OFF" is easily seen by looking at the lever (lever in-line with hose is "ON"; cross-wise to hose is "OFF"). Works for me....
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
No harm, many cars come from the factory with them. And if they don't, I install one. I put one in my C5. I open it in November and close it in March. It helps keep the cabin temps down. 
Use a brass 1/4 turn ball valve from Lowes/HD. Don't use a gate valve. It'll just end up leaking after a couple years.
Use a brass 1/4 turn ball valve from Lowes/HD. Don't use a gate valve. It'll just end up leaking after a couple years.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
It will not hurt anything...for those that are not familiar with Vettes a heater had to be specifically ordered or the Vette was not equipped through the 1961 model`s..Starting with the 1962`s it became standard equipment.....similar to a radio, as those also had to be ordered as a option up until around the 1978 Vettes when they too became standard ....
But you could merely run a hose from the pump back into the engine completely by-passing the heater core as a easy repair....
But you could merely run a hose from the pump back into the engine completely by-passing the heater core as a easy repair....
Racer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 297
Likes: 3
From: Indianapolis
