Swapping radiator problems 1984 Silverado

[HotRodScottsdale]

Got a question for the group. I'm in the middle of swapping on parts from a 83 gmc c2500 I stripped a few years ago and putting them on my Chevy k2500 and just noticed now the radiator I'm putting in the Chevy from GMC had a different heat hose routing system. My Chevy has the hoses from water pump to heater core to intake and the radiator I'm putting in is ment to have heater hose from radiator to heater core to intake. My question is what should I do with the hole for the heater core now since my engine wont require me to use it and if I have to plug it what's the best method, it is not a threaded hole just a hose clamp one.

[Dead Parrot]

Hose from intake is the hot output. Hose to either radiator or water pump is return. Most water pumps have a threaded place for either a hose port or plug. If your radiator is fitted for a return hose, just get a plug for the water pump hole.

Don't make the mistake of running from water pump to core and back to radiator.

[HotRodScottsdale]

I didnt even think of plugging the water pump. Thank you!

[SunSoaked]

Unless you have Vortec heads on a non-vortec block, but that's a whole nuther can of worms.

[HotRodScottsdale]

Originally Posted by SunSoaked

Unless you have Vortec heads on a non-vortec block, but that's a whole nuther can of worms.

What do you mean by that?

[HotRodScottsdale]

https://imgshare.io/image/Z2tbX
https://imgshare.io/image/Z2oeH
https://imgshare.io/image/Z25fB

[SunSoaked]

It's an issue and workaround for the coolant bypass hole. If you have this setup, it's worth looking into. If not, I wouldn't give it a second thought.

[HotRodScottsdale]

I do want to keep my heat so is it possible to just take the heater core hose off my water pump and attached it to my radiator then get a plug for the water pump. Or are you saying doing that could cause problems with the weep hole on the water pump? Would it be worth it to just replace the water pump with one that does not have the heater core hose hook up.

[geezer#99]

Originally Posted by HotRodScottsdale

I do want to keep my heat so is it possible to just take the heater core hose off my water pump and attached it to my radiator then get a plug for the water pump.

That’s the way to do it.
Normal heater hose flow is from intake to bottom of heat core, top of heat core back to either water pump or rad.
Yours has the bung on the rad so put the hose there and plug on the water pump.

[HotRodScottsdale]

Awesome thank you

[MikeB]

The mention of Vortec heads above reminds me of a problem I have with my cooling system: I can sometimes hear "gurgling" in the heater core, and one of the heater hoses sometimes thumps against the inner fender.

I have GM Vortec heads and a 1997 350 Vortec block. After filling the cooling system I can "burp" the system a few times until no more air bubbles flow into the reservoir. But still the gurgling persists. I have the tools to evacuate the cooling system and suck in fresh coolant, but the vacuum causes my radiator hoses to collapse, which prevents me from evacuating the system entirely.

Any ideas?

[geezer#99]

Put a coil in your hoses.

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

Put a coil in your hoses.

Good idea, but I couldn't find just a coil, or a hose with a coil to fit.

[geezer#99]

Make a coil.
I’ve used 10 feet of galvanized wire and wrapped it around a solid 2 inch pipe. Stretch it out like an accordion and then put a pigtail on each end so it can be wound into the hose easily.

[MikeB]

Sounds like a plan!

Just found this lower hose. Looks like it may have a coil inside.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...030824&jsn=449