Thermostat Bypass Hose

Mike Jones · #1 (**permalink**) 01-12-2003, 10:32 PM

My question is what will happen if I delete the hose between the water pump
and the thermostat housing. I don't mind using one but I don't understand
the function it serves. I will be driving a 331 small block with a carburetor
mostly on the street. I will not be running any emission controls.

Thanks

Mike

mr0077 · #2 (**permalink**) 01-13-2003, 03:46 AM

Mike, the only thing I'm aware of that the hose does (and it is likely something you want to keep in place) is to provide a degree of coolant circulation through the motor during warmup, while the T-stat is closed. Anyone else know if it does anything else?

joe garland · #3 (**permalink**) 01-13-2003, 05:23 AM

Mike, I blocked the housing off on my 351w. No problems. Just make sure you dont have an up hill flow from the radiator.

Bob Putnam · #4 (**permalink**) 01-13-2003, 05:28 AM

If you block off the bypass hose, I recommend this to maintain a small amount of flow past the thermostat.

Ron61 · #5 (**permalink**) 01-13-2003, 05:33 AM

Mike,

Ken is correct and I would keep the hose as it does let some water flow while the temperature is coming up to open the thermostat. If you do want to block it off then by all means do what Bob showed in his picture and drill the small hole. I don't know what the weather is like where Joe lives but around here on the 115 degree humid days in the Summer you don't want to run the motor without any water flow for any amount of time. I use the hose because it doesn't look that bad and with my fading memory I would be sure to forget to drill the hole in the thermostat when I change them.

Ron

joe garland · #6 (**permalink**) 01-13-2003, 05:58 AM

Bob and Ron, I agree totally with the bypass hole in the stat. I remember now that I did drill about an 1/8" hole in the top of the stat. just for this same purpose.

Dave Engel · #7 (**permalink**) 01-26-2003, 01:28 PM

hey Mike,

Mike I run a 351w for circle track, I always remove this hose for better cooling, (allows all fluid through rad.) We run 28 to 32lb. caps. It's just one more hose we don't have to worry about blowing. it is also a excellant idea to drill two #30 drill bit holes on each side of the thermostat, It should run 8 to12 degrees cooler than current thermo reading. and also let the air out of the system.

Dave