Capping off heater outlet on water pump

[centex77]

What's the best way to cap off the outlet on the water pump to the heater core? Just a rubber plug and a hose clamp? Or does it need to be fed back in to the engine somewhere to keep the loop flowing?

 

[Rustytruck]

Flow is from top of intake water neck to the heater core through the core back to the water pump. Pump end is suction. 2 ways to fix it is to pull the tube from the water pump and Tap the hole for 1/2" pipe thread and plug it or find a freeze plug and press it into the hole in the water pump casting. Most trail fixes just loop the heater hose back to the pump.

 

[SteveL]

You can buy the rubber caps at the ap store but they don't last. I'm in the middle of a hydro boost swap so I bought a new water pump while we're in there. I had the nipple pulled out and threaded for a plug. With that route you can always buy the right fitting to put a hose back on if you decide to run a heater.

 

[Dlish]

I have a rubber cap and hose clamp on for the time being. But I like the other options, something to think about for the future

 

[centex77]

I've got the bypass from the thermostat to the water pump hooked up. Just the line from the pump to the heater core I need to cap. I've thought about just capping it but was concerned it might cause cavitation or something since it would be a closed circuit.

 

[Rustytruck]

Ford marine water pumps do not use heater connections and they work.
They come plugged.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-WATER-...-351-ENGINES-OMC-71683A1-982517-/281317402746

 

[Broncobowsher]

I had a waterpump that the nipple was threaded in. Was easy enough to unscrew it and match it to a pipe thread and put a plug in it.

The caps are well known garbage. It may seem a little getto, but a short length of good heater hose, ended with a heater hose to pipe thread nipple, and a regular metal pipe thread cap. Not as pretty but a lot more durable than the rubber cap.

It can be looped back to the intake, a heater core bypass. Done countless times as a way to keep driving a car when the heater core springs a leak. My only gripe is there is a good amount of water bypassing the radiator doing it this way. Can lead to cooling issues. Or if you don't have a spare port on the intake to give up this is also an issue.

 

[centex77]

I've got a spare port. I've got the temp sensor in a port to the right of the distributor so the port that it's usually in is open.

 

[1971lubr]

I just looped the hose back to the pump for the first year until I restored my heater... I don't see any reason you couldn't do that for the long term.

 

[gray gables]

I just looped the hose back to the pump for the first year until I restored my heater... I don't see any reason you couldn't do that for the long term.

exactly how I did mine. Been fine for the last 20 yrs or so.

 

[JWMcCrary]

I bought several rubber caps for the water pump, threw the extras in the glove box. Put a pipe plug in the intake. Later down the road may do something better on the water pump. Bronco doesn't have a heater box, tossed it when putting back together.

 

[centex77]

No AC or heater on mine either. I like the idea of removing the pipe and plugging it. Might go that route. Would be a clean look. Thanks y’all.

 

[Builtnotbought0]

Will it work like this if its just going to the other side of the thermostat?

 

[JWMcCrary]

Will it work like this if its just going to the other side of the thermostat?

Yes, have seen many done like that