When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
This might sound like a stupid question but please bare with me for a second.
I don't have a rad in the car because I'm in the middle of restoring it, but I do need to be able to fire up the car to move it about 30 feet every now the then.
Is it possible to connect a hose, to go from the water pump to the thermostat ? and if so how would I be able to fill the engine.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
If it's only gonna be running long enough to move 30ft, I wouldn't worry about bypassing anything. It there's still coolant in the block, and you're worried about the water pump puking it all out, just pull the water pump belt.
We used to move cars all the time in the speed shop with dry engine blocks.
But keep the "on" time VERY limited, like 60 sec MAX.
And idle only, no revs.
It won't even get warm.
Then you'll be fine.
But it still made me nervous every time.
I have seen guys run a rad hose from therm outlet to WP inlet. And fill it with water.
That can work too. And buys you a little more time before it gets warm.
But they are diff sizes....
I recently went one step further (dead engine) and bolted a $54 2000# Harbor Freight boat trailer winch to the floor. Works great even on a 4000# car! It's only rolling.
4-6 inches uphill was just too much for my arms.
Last edited by leigh1322; Jan 8, 2025 at 04:15 PM.
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
You will need a reducer because one hose is 5/8" and the other is 3/4"..
Connect the hoses as you normally would but put the reducer between the two hoses.
Put some anti-freeze in the engine.
I have seen guys run a rad hose from therm outlet to WP inlet. And fill it with water.
That can work too. And buys you a little more time before it gets warm.
But they are diff sizes....
I was thinking of doing what you mentioned, and as for the different size hoses I can use a 2" to 1 1/2 reducer to connect the 2 hoses
as you said it just gives me a little bit more pace of mind, but will there be any issue with pressure build up
You will need a reducer because one hose is 5/8" and the other is 3/4"..
Connect the hoses as you normally would but put the reducer between the two hoses.
Put some anti-freeze in the engine.
the hose coming from the water pump is 2" and the one coming from the thermostat is 1 1/2"
I'm retired now but I yes, drove a car carrier. [/QUOTE]
very nice Pete. I to am retired after 32 years, now I just look at the drivers on the road and pick faults at there driving and die laughing watch some of them backing up..lol
How to bypass the rad
