Heater Core Bypass - one plug better than another???
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,873
Likes: 134
From: Bushkill Twp. PA
St. Jude Donor '17
Heater Core Bypass - one plug better than another???
Had the antifreeze leaking out the heat duct in the cabin. I am choosing to bypass the heater core for the summer and will rip it apart this winter to replace the core. So, for the summer, what is a better plug for the pump and manifold? The first ones I found had the square top as shown in the picture. When I went back to the store, I found the allen key plug also. These are both made by the generic "HELP" line of products at Advanced Auto. Is one better to use than another, especially knowing it needs to come apart in 8 months.
Funny, I have about 30 miles on this car so far this year, and the winter project list is already starting!
Funny, I have about 30 miles on this car so far this year, and the winter project list is already starting!
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 92
Likes: 1
From: Carol Stream Illinois
Unless your thermostat has bypass holes drilled into it, I would not plug the holes. Instead, I would run a short hose from the side of the water pump to the intake manifold creating a loop.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,873
Likes: 134
From: Bushkill Twp. PA
St. Jude Donor '17
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
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
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Remember those are NPT threads. NPT is how you say National Pipe Taper. Tapered threads. In aluminum, you can keep wrenching until the crack starts. And just keep on going.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,714
Likes: 6
From: Silver City NM
St. Jude Donor '05-'07
EXACTLY RIGHT!!! NEVER USE STEEL PLUGS/FITTINGS IN AN ALUMINUM MANIFOLD!!!!
Sorry for the caps, but I can't emphasize that enough. Steel rusts and once it rusts, forgetabout getting it out. Just look at all the aluminum manifolds on E-Bay with rusted on steel fittings. Use brass with a thread sealer and you won't have any problems at all.
Also, if you use teflon tape, make sure you don't get any of the tape INSIDE the water passages. That crap will play hell with the cooling system (or fuel system) if it gets inside of it.
Sorry for the caps, but I can't emphasize that enough. Steel rusts and once it rusts, forgetabout getting it out. Just look at all the aluminum manifolds on E-Bay with rusted on steel fittings. Use brass with a thread sealer and you won't have any problems at all.
Also, if you use teflon tape, make sure you don't get any of the tape INSIDE the water passages. That crap will play hell with the cooling system (or fuel system) if it gets inside of it.
