Can anyone tell me a about the purpose of the 3 inch hose that runs between the water pump and the thermostat housing? I cannot seem to get a good seal, and I think it is because the termostat housing and the hose output from the water pump are pretty well worn out. What would be the consequences if this hose was just blocked off?


Thanks!

 

It's a bypass. It's better to keep them in place if at all possible-I have blocked them on a temporary basis but never left it that way. On rare occasions you will get overheating issues if that hose is blocked or kinked shut.

In cases where the hose fittings are not just std. pipe fittings, or are not replaceable for whatever reason, you can use high-temp silicone, moderately coat the fittings, & immediately install the hose and tighten the clamps. Don't let it set up or "skim" first, before putting the hose in place. Tighten the hose clamps with a socket & let the whole thing set for an hour or so, retighten, & yer good ta go.

A lot of times, even if, say, Ford vendors don't carry the pressed-in hose fitting, you can find a GM fitting or whatever that will work fine, or imports. That's where junkyard crawling comes in handy- I usually wouldn't salvage something like that but at least I can get the year, make, & model & order it .

 

Thank you homespun for the advice. I filler'd up and no leaks!