Hi I was wondering if there is anyway to delete our check vavle in line with the heater core water lines? mine has a cut in the hose close to the check vavle,and to buy a new setup is 150 dollars,because you have to replace both the intake,and back to the motor hose's,just trying to save a few dollars if possible,i was just going to run a new hose from the water pump to the fitting, what do you think? why do we have that check vavle there to start with???
thanks
phil

 

check valve? Are you talking about the air bleed valve possibly. You can replace the entire assembly but you will spend alot of time trying to get all the air out of the system. Check with mark@hpsalvage.com, 210-649-2554, i am sure he has some of those lying around. It will be used but it's better that paying for the new part and it will still keep you bleed valve at the highest point in the system.

 

hi,
thanks for the quick reply,the piece im talking about isn't the bleeding part,it's actually in line on the the heater core hose, it's only a few inches from the the water and about 3 inches long,looks like a check vavle,but i could be wrong,thanks

 

I am confused now. I only know of the bleeder assembly on the LT1's. Can you send a picture? It's not a piece of molded rubber with another hose attached is it?

 

It's a flow reducer and yes, some people have eliminated it, seemingly without any issues. It is possible to replace individual hoses without replacing the whole assembly. You have to carefully slit the swaged collars and then peel them off. You can then install a rubber hose with normal hose clamps.

 

I don't think I have ever seen something like that. I would really like a picture or link to where I can find what that looks like.

 

It's on every 4th gen LT1 f-body. #13

 

Huh, I never noticed that.

 

Mine split in half. It looked like it was just a filter screen and a plastic disk with a 3/8" hole.
I just put in a standard hose splice from the autoparts store and it has never given me any problems. It has been in there for almost 2 years now.
Just my 2 cents

 

Flow reducers are typically added to the heater circuit if the coolant velocity in the heater core is too high, to minimize erosion of the heater core tubes. Removing it should perform ok but may lead to a leaking heater core eventually. Which is no fun to replace. I'd replace the restrictor if you plan on putting a lot more miles on the car. Not necessarily with a stock piece, just some kind of fitting with a similar inside diameter.