Heater Core Bypass

[LIRacer]

My heater core is leaking. Considering that changing it out is a PITA, and that my interior gets very hot summer AND winter, I want to bypss the core altogether. My plan is simple:Connect the heater hose that originates at the water pump directly to the block connection where coolent reenters.

Any advice or comments?

 

[GW74]

Your heater core does dissipate some heat as the water flows through it so you may notice an increase in the water temperature. There should be no problem with this other wise.

Vince

 

[Ganey]

Many do that, works fine.

Prefer to use plugs & eliminate the heater hoses.

:cool

 

[tx73vette]

I did that on my 73 about 2 years ago and no problems at all. But I did notice a 5-10 degree in temp change. But other than that no prob.

 

[Ala75Vette]

I did that very thing -- reroute my heater hose to the block -- before I replaced my heater core & put valves in the heater lines. It worked just fine like that for a year or so. Yes, replacing the heater core is a major PITA. In the meantime, rerouting the hoses will keep things working OK without leaks and give you the time to decide whether or not to replace the heater core yourself, or get someone else to do it (for the big bucks -- $300 at our vette shop in H'ville). It is a pain to do, but it's very doable even for the casual weekend mechanic like me. Good luck, and there's lots of info on how to do it should you decide to take it on.....

 

[82RL]

If ther is nothing wrong with the heater core but you want to bypass it any way to keep heat out, will that hurt the heater core? may be bypass in the summer and reconnect in the winter

 

[LIRacer]

And the job is done!!!!

I bye passed the core by running a two part heater hose 5/8 and 7/8 with a straight connector going from the water pump into the block. As luck would have it the hose going to the core from the block was a different size then the core to pump hose. I kept the orginal hoses intact and sealed them off with cork (BUBBA,BUBBA) so I can re-attach them easily next winter.

The car is running cooler in the cockpit, and I haven't noticed any coolant temperature increase.

Thanks to all for their input.

 

[Michel73]

I did this little trick a month or so ago and so far so good. I couldn't stop HOT AIR from coming out the vents. Now it's much cooler inside the ol classic


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