Drag Racing Tech - What are you guys using to cap the heater hose nipples on the water pump

I still run the stock water pump, I deleted the HVAC system a while back, what I have been using to cap the nipples that fed the heater core, are these rubber caps from HELP! at autozone.. The only problem is they do not even last a year really, and start to dryrot and crack, and I dont trust them from there on. I can stock up on them, but was just wondering what else is out there? thanks Fellas..

2 ways to do it, loop a piece of heater hose, one side you will have to stretch on but it will fit, or you can pull the pump, take the nipples and cut them off, and tap the holes and tread in a short large diameter bolt to cap them off, or if you have access to a tig welder, a cap can be welded over them.

Other then that, the way you're doing it is about all there is for options.

I just got rid of my hvac I got a hose from dayco. The part # is 87629 I got it for like 6 bucks from summit its 5/8 on one side 3/4 on the other its a real small u shape. Hope this pic helps

I removed the nipples, made some aluminum plugs, TIG welded them in, and milled the "flange" flat afterward. My pump looks like it never even had Heater hoses.

remove nipples, tap and use pipe plugs or weld them

Did the same here. Removed tubes tapped holes and plugged them.

You dont even want to see mine!!

Plug in one and a old spark plug stuffed into a rubber hose on the other??!!!?

I remember back in the early days that capping off these two ports disrupts the flow of water in the cooler. That is where the one piece of pipe "loop" idea came from.

I don't like the looks of the loop. Is there a way to internally modify he inside of the pump to be able to do a clean block off from the outside?

Your going to wont to loop the nipples helping the the car stay cooler by capping them your doing more harm then good.

Your going to wont to loop the nipples helping the the car stay cooler by capping them your doing more harm then good.

Yeah we used to say that all the time but the last waterpump I got from Evans Cooling they suggested I have them cap the openings if I wasn't going to use them.
They know their stuff ya know so I think capping is best.
http://i935.photobucket.com/albums/ad191/mpiccione/PA250116.jpg

Dave I capped mine off when I had a stock pump on the car, never had any cooling issues. I never had any issues running no t stat with the electric pump either, supposedly some people have issues when they to that :confused:

I'm not running a t stat on the vette, again per Evans- unless u want to heat the cockpit quickly on cold days its just a restriction.

Stock and stock replacement thermostats have a built in bypass that opens when the thermostat is closed, letting coolant circulate in the block.

Stock and stock replacement thermostats have a built in bypass that opens when the thermostat is closed, letting coolant circulate in the block.

Yes but still restrictive when compared to nothing.

Thanks fellas, i removed the water pump. knocked the nipples out and am installing npt plugs, 3/8 on the small and 1/2 on the larger are the sizes. gonna drill and tap them tonight when I get home.

Hey 67, how's that 4L80E from Jake working out for u?
He's one helluva nice guy.

all I did was go to advance auto parts and buy 2 little rubber caps and 2 small clamps. cost like $3

Got it all done and put the pump back on the car, Looks good, and dont leak a drop, put plugs in with a little teflon tape and some pipe dope to be sure.. I ran the taps a little deep because I wanted the plugs to be inside the holes,,
All in All I am happy with it.

http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm162/raron455/2012-05-09192055.jpg
To anyone who is reading this and considering doing it,,here is what I Did,, Knocked the plugs out, using a medium set of vise grips (grabbing ahold TIGHTLY of the nipple with one jaw on the inside and the other on the outside) and a hammer, Hit the vise grips until the nipples come out. The smaller hole is tapped to a 3/8-18 NPT and the larger is a 1/2-14 NPT. Here is the wierd part, To tap a 3/8 NPT hole You need to drill it to 37/64,, I DID NOT HAVE TO DRILL IT, I had the bit, and it was perfect, bit was a good snug fit. To do the 1/2 NPT hole It needs to be drilled to 23/32 same thing happened, the bit fit perfect, didnt need to drill. I dont know how but it just worked out perfect:confused:. I had the drill bits, and didnt need them. I just leveled the taps lubed them, and then started tapping until I reached my depth. Worked perfect on my pump. STOCK PUMP

Looks Great! Nice job. I like that the plugs are recessed. :nod:

thats looks really good, I know whats you talking about it the little things like that on your own car I like. Nothing worse then cutting yourself on somone else junk with some ugly metal sqare head plugs sticking out 4 threads.

are you running a vacuum pump?

Thanks,, I am happy with them being deep in the pump, out of the way... No I am not running a vacuum pump, thats just a moroso catch can for my PCV delete system..

I'm not running a t stat on the vette, again per Evans- unless u want to heat the cockpit quickly on cold days its just a restriction.

Is it street driven at all. I always thought you needed a t-stat to allow the coolent time to stay in the rad. This way it would cool off then go back into the engine. I know old school bracket cars run no t-stat or just an orfice plate. I stilll drive my car to and from the track, just wondering? I like the idea of plugging the heater outlets. I have mine looped looks like junk. I'm thinking some nice allen headed S.Stl plugs.

I still run the stock water pump, I deleted the HVAC system a while back, what I have been using to cap the nipples that fed the heater core, are these rubber caps from HELP! at autozone.. The only problem is they do not even last a year really, and start to dryrot and crack, and I dont trust them from there on. I can stock up on them, but was just wondering what else is out there? thanks Fellas..

Which caps are you using? If they aren't lasting long enough you can try putting vasoline on them every oil change. Vasoline will saturate the rubber and keep it rubbery. Or get a polyurethane hose cap in the right sizes to last even longer.

http://www.lasvegastool.com/

check this tool out. It made quick work of pulling the nipples out of the water pump. Yes you could make this tool at home instead of buying it. Either way I got the job done and now have a useful tool for the future. The aluminum tapped like butter with a little lube.

http://www.lasvegastool.com/

check this tool out. It made quick work of pulling the nipples out of the water pump. Yes you could make this tool at home instead of buying it. Either way I got the job done and now have a useful tool for the future. The aluminum tapped like butter with a little lube.

Vise grip + slide hammer = let's break some shit


If motor was still out of the car I'd just drill a rod through both sides of the nipple. Attach 5# slide hammer to thru-rod. Give it a few solid whacks to pull them out and keep on trucking. Can't imagine doing that IN the engine bay though.