Blew My Heater Core... Safe to Drive?

[65fordstang]

I blew my heater core a few days back, and wanted to know if it is safe to drive without loss of coolant as long as the temp control valve in the line is closed. Or should the line to and the line from the pump be connected?

 

[fatboy]

For temporary, I would find a piece of pipe you can use to connect the inlet and outlet hose from the heater core together. I once used a 2" exhaust coupling with two flex hoses to plumb up a radiator until I could get the correct hose on my 79 F-150. (of course I never did get the right hose ;D ) Make sure you use hose clams on either side and you should be able to get to where you need to go. But take the time to pull the heater and rebuild the whole thing. There are several write ups in the tech section plus a blower motor upgrade as well which you should be able to find with the search option. You might be able to remove one of the hoses and connect the outlet to the inlet with the same hose (on the engine not the heater core).

Good Luck!

 

[65fordstang]

Yep, I'm waiting on the parts to rebuild the heater, I just need to be able to drive it until they get here. I think I am going to try to connect them on the engine side for now for ease.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Countless cars have had the heater hose looped right back into the waterpump. Nothing to find, nothing to buy. Just arrange the heater hoses that are already there. 5-minutes and a screwdriver is all it takes.

 

[Jeepster]

Doesn't matter what side you do (heater inlet/outlet) or motor just as long as the core is taken out of the loupe to prevent loss of coolant.

 

[t.lay]

My heater's been in the basement the last 5 years. Just bypass the core/loop it back like broncobowsher sez.

 

[65fordstang]

Awesome, thanks for the help guys.