my heater core cracked last year and i never replaced it so i just pulled the hoses out. now i finally replaced the core but i dont have any of the hoses anymore. dont need the valve for it im just going to hook it straight up so there is always coolant running through the core. where should i hook the lines up though? i know one goes to the radiator as a return where should i pull the supply from? i have an aftermarket intake so i can run it from one of the water ports on the back. i have a thermostat housing that has a place to screw in a hose fitting. also have the port on my water pump. what would be the best place to use as the supply line?

 

Do not run the supply to the core from the thermostat housing port (you will only get a circulation to the core after the thermostat opens).

You can run the supply from the water pump, but again you will just be circulating "cold" water between the radiator and core until the thermostat opens up.

Best approach is to the supply to the core from the back of the intake manifold (5/8" hose I believe). Then run the return line (3/4") from the core to the top of the radiator. This way the water pump is circulating coolant through the engine all the time. It leaves the back of the engine hot and goes straight to the core for faster heat transfer.