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?