Radiator plumbing

[DaveAhrendt]

I've got a 72 degree TC water outlet on the way to replace my seriously corroded outlet. As I understand it these were aluminum for TB/TC but my old outlet is very magnetic. Odd. Anyway, on to my question. I was looking at my newer SS thermostat housing and was wondering if I couldn't just drill a 2-3mm hole in the thermostat, block off the bypass and route a hose straight from the water pump to the radiator bottom hose? If I could remove the branch pipe completely it would eliminate some interference with the supercharger belt tensioner bits.

The thermostat has a small jiggle pin but I don't think it would work as a bypass unless I remove the pin completely. Anyone done something similar?

Thanks.

[Steve Simmons]

Hi Dave,

I don't see why you couldn't do that. Many people run with no thermostat at all, so having a small hole would not be detrimental to the engine's ability to warm up properly. I've seen more than one TC with the bypass circuit eliminated.

[DaveAhrendt]

Hi Steve,
Thanks for the confirmation. I assumed this would work but I've thought that before on other things only to be bitten.