NEED HELP Crushed Heater Hose

[Reed]

While stabbing the transmission up to the engine (4.2L EXT), the heater hose clamp was pinched between them, and the hose got crushed. I pulled the old hose out from behind the engine, and removed it. I want to know if I can remove the heater hose inlet and outlet fittings from the block, and just plug them until I can get a replacement hose, or is it necessary for the coolant to flow in a loop?

 

[Mooseman]

Honestly, I don't know but IMHO, I don't think it will matter. What you could do is just take a long piece of regular rubber hose, loop it over top of the engine and connect each end.

 

[Sparky]

Pretty sure it is like most other vehicles where the heater loop is just parallel to everything else, so simply plugging it doesn't hurt anything. I know a lot of guys with race cars and such will do that as they don't need the heater core in those vehicles.

 

[Reed]

Thanks for your input guys. I didn't want to screw anything up after an overhaul.