Bypassing the heater core?

[willem445]

Originally Posted by tucsonjwt

Actually, I used the plugs on two short hoses coming from the heater core on the Caviler. Those short hoses connected to metal connections on top of the engine, so I installed the bypass hose on the metal connections. The plugs are not necessary if you are totally disconnecting the heater core. If you are just going to unhook the two heater hoses at the heater core and plug them at that point you can use two plugs, but I would use a bypass hose and loop the two hoses together with two nipples.

You would tape off or cap the heater core nipples if you did not want insects or other critters to get inside your heater core.

As a practical matter, if your heater core is bad you should just install an new heater core - maybe $25 at a parts store -preferably copper/brass. Installation requires removing the dash pad and box + cables and hoses under the dash but probably doable in 2-3 hours even without experience.

Yeah that makes sense. The heater core has been completely disconnected for about 10 years now but the connections to the heater core were duct taped off thankfully. Eventually I will get around to replacing the heater core but right now it is not a priority, I just want to get it street legal for the time being. Just looking for a cheap solution now that doesn't look horrible. Ive gotten pretty good at tearing apart my truck so replacing the core shouldnt be all that hard.

Thanks for the help guys! Ill try and post some pics of my solution when I get time to go home and work on the truck.