Heater core basic question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

TruckinDaddy · 12-11-2005, 05:34 PM

My heater core sprung a leak. I am trying to take the cheap way out on my beater and was wondering if I just remove the heater core and run a hose from the block straight to the water pump, will I cause my any problems or damage the engine or rest of the cooling system?

I know I have seen this done on some other trucks, but I don't know enough about it to know about potential troubles it might cause.

71swb4x4 · 12-11-2005, 05:37 PM

It'll work perfectly fine. Done it as a temporary fix. Of course up here we need our heater. Down there you could probably use it as a permanent fix

TruckinDaddy · 12-11-2005, 05:39 PM

That is what I am thinking, since this truck only makes weekend runs to the Home Depot and such. If it is too cold, I can just stay home!

Thanks for the quick reply

LUV2XCLR8 · 12-11-2005, 05:58 PM

Yeppers, just bypass it like 714x4 said

72str8flush · 12-11-2005, 06:08 PM

You should plan on changing the inlet on the intake... because the two hoses that go to the core are different sizes. Because if its a permanent fix, I doubt you want to just jam the hose on there.

You can get them in the "Help!" section of your autoparts store

Tx Firefighter · 12-11-2005, 06:14 PM

If you want to go to the trouble to "rig it right", buy two 1/2 N.P.T. plugs and replace the hose fittings on the intake and water pump with the plugs. That removes the hose completely, so you never have to worry about it failing or leaking.

You said it was a Home Depot truck, they sell the plugs there.

alf1096 · 12-11-2005, 06:54 PM

My core just went out also and right now I am doing the hose fix like you said but I need heat because my truck is a daily driver. Oreilys had my 70 core in stock for 15 bucks parts are cheap to fix, I will let you know how hard it is to put in

TruckinDaddy · 12-11-2005, 06:58 PM

You guys are aewsome! Thanks for the responses.

Longhorn Man · 12-11-2005, 07:06 PM

alf, if yours is an A/C truck, then look in the FAQ board... I transfered a write up that Jewels did a couple years ago.

67chevemall · 12-14-2005, 09:45 AM

Ya plug it up with 2 plugs! what tx said

Fred T · 12-14-2005, 10:49 AM

If you're concerned about water flow, don't be. The AC equipped trucks have a vacuum operated valve that shuts off the water flow to the heater.

In high school my buddies told me you needed the heater hose connected for flow so as not to overheat the head. I have since learned that on older chevies with the 261 that the hose is needed, they tend to have steam develop in the head. For the other engines, no.

TruckinDaddy · 12-14-2005, 11:44 AM

My beater is non-AC, unless you count the rotten rockers and kickpanels!

I have it plumbed with a hose right now, but I am thinking seriously about plugging both ends and being done with it.

Striker169 · 12-14-2005, 12:54 PM

Ive done that to my mustang the last year, and finally got it fixed 2 days ago. but to replace the heatercore in your truck is EASY! Id be happy to help and its like a $20 fix.

12-11-2005, 05:34 PM	#1
TruckinDaddy What's that funky smell? Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 610	Heater core basic question My heater core sprung a leak. I am trying to take the cheap way out on my beater and was wondering if I just remove the heater core and run a hose from the block straight to the water pump, will I cause my any problems or damage the engine or rest of the cooling system? I know I have seen this done on some other trucks, but I don't know enough about it to know about potential troubles it might cause. __________________ Mike S 68 C10 Long Step (Pretending to be a Long Fleetside) Grandpa's Farm Truck 3 on the tree, 307, No power brakes or steering Factory Options - HD rear spring and Ammeter/Oil Gauges My truck blog My Car Domain page Last edited by TruckinDaddy; 12-11-2005 at 05:35 PM.

12-11-2005, 05:37 PM	#2
71swb4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brookings, SD Posts: 10,497	Re: Heater core basic question It'll work perfectly fine. Done it as a temporary fix. Of course up here we need our heater. Down there you could probably use it as a permanent fix __________________ Some people are like slinkies, they aren't good for anything, but you can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.

12-11-2005, 05:39 PM	#3
TruckinDaddy What's that funky smell? Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 610	Re: Heater core basic question That is what I am thinking, since this truck only makes weekend runs to the Home Depot and such. If it is too cold, I can just stay home! Thanks for the quick reply __________________ Mike S 68 C10 Long Step (Pretending to be a Long Fleetside) Grandpa's Farm Truck 3 on the tree, 307, No power brakes or steering Factory Options - HD rear spring and Ammeter/Oil Gauges My truck blog My Car Domain page

12-11-2005, 05:58 PM	#4
LUV2XCLR8 The LuvShack Garage Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Maple Grove, TN (West Side) Posts: 30,476	Re: Heater core basic question Yeppers, just bypass it like 714x4 said __________________ Owner/Op: "TN Classic Transport Carriers" The Toy: "Square Vette" 72 Hybrid Blazer Toy Barn: "LuvShack" 40 x 60 x 20 Shop Tow Piggy:"Maddy" 88 Silverado 3500 Hauler: "Feathers" 14 Aluma 8218T

12-11-2005, 06:08 PM	#5
72str8flush Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Tennyson, Indiana 47637 Posts: 137	Re: Heater core basic question You should plan on changing the inlet on the intake... because the two hoses that go to the core are different sizes. Because if its a permanent fix, I doubt you want to just jam the hose on there. You can get them in the "Help!" section of your autoparts store __________________ 72 Chevy Short Bed Fleet: 350/TH350 - Sold - Now trying to sell the parts that I have left over. _______________________ 2006 VW GTI

12-11-2005, 06:14 PM	#6
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: Heater core basic question If you want to go to the trouble to "rig it right", buy two 1/2 N.P.T. plugs and replace the hose fittings on the intake and water pump with the plugs. That removes the hose completely, so you never have to worry about it failing or leaking. You said it was a Home Depot truck, they sell the plugs there. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin Last edited by Tx Firefighter; 12-11-2005 at 06:15 PM.

12-11-2005, 06:54 PM	#7
alf1096 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 124	Re: Heater core basic question My core just went out also and right now I am doing the hose fix like you said but I need heat because my truck is a daily driver. Oreilys had my 70 core in stock for 15 bucks parts are cheap to fix, I will let you know how hard it is to put in __________________ 1970 Short Stepside----Process of Restoring 1983 1/2 Silverado

12-11-2005, 06:58 PM	#8
TruckinDaddy What's that funky smell? Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 610	Re: Heater core basic question You guys are aewsome! Thanks for the responses.

12-11-2005, 07:06 PM	#9
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Heater core basic question alf, if yours is an A/C truck, then look in the FAQ board... I transfered a write up that Jewels did a couple years ago.

12-14-2005, 09:45 AM	#10
67chevemall Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: NB Posts: 3,367	Re: Heater core basic question Ya plug it up with 2 plugs! what tx said __________________ 1968 Chevy C10 307 3ott fleetside 1967 Chevy C/10 V8, 3spd, fleetside lwb.Sold 1967 Chev C/10 step, 383, M21. SOLD

12-14-2005, 10:49 AM	#11
Fred T Cantankerous Geezer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Bel Aire, KS Posts: 6,264	Re: Heater core basic question If you're concerned about water flow, don't be. The AC equipped trucks have a vacuum operated valve that shuts off the water flow to the heater. In high school my buddies told me you needed the heater hose connected for flow so as not to overheat the head. I have since learned that on older chevies with the 261 that the hose is needed, they tend to have steam develop in the head. For the other engines, no. __________________ Fred There is no such thing as too much cam...just not enough engine.

12-14-2005, 11:44 AM	#12
TruckinDaddy What's that funky smell? Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 610	Re: Heater core basic question My beater is non-AC, unless you count the rotten rockers and kickpanels! I have it plumbed with a hose right now, but I am thinking seriously about plugging both ends and being done with it. __________________ Mike S 68 C10 Long Step (Pretending to be a Long Fleetside) Grandpa's Farm Truck 3 on the tree, 307, No power brakes or steering Factory Options - HD rear spring and Ammeter/Oil Gauges My truck blog My Car Domain page

12-14-2005, 12:54 PM	#13
Striker169 Car O'Holic Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Austin, Tx. Posts: 692	Re: Heater core basic question Ive done that to my mustang the last year, and finally got it fixed 2 days ago. but to replace the heatercore in your truck is EASY! Id be happy to help and its like a $20 fix.

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