Plugging heater hoses

[RRMs69Z]

Any recommendations on the best way to plug hose to heater to prevent coolant from going to the heater box?  Thanks.

[HawkX66]

Remove the hoses, remove the fittings in the water pump and intake that the hoses were connected to, insert pipe plugs in those two holes. You can also put plugs over the heater core tubes if you want to.
If it's an emergency situation on the road where the heater core has failed and it's leaking coolant in the cabin, you can just loop the hoses. Connect them together and it just creates a loop. Won't harm anything.

[RRMs69Z]

Thanks Dave. I was told that it is common for a leak to occur in the heater and you won't know until it's too late. I want to connect the hoses so they look correct but not functional.

[HawkX66]

If you want to leave the hoses, you'll just need to figure out how to seal the hose nipples on the water pump. You could maybe braze some brass nipples closed and hook the hoses up. You won't be able to visually tell the difference.

[RRMs69Z]

Perfect. Thanks again.

[BULLITT65]

RSM, what do you mean you won't know till its to late?
The heater core can last more than 40 years on some of these cars, maybe longer. It is a fairly easy fix to take it out if it does leak. Get it to a radiator shop, they can recore it and you are back in business. Of course you could preemptively do this as well, if you are worried about it.

I would have it operational before I took the time to block it off. Just my 2 cents.