Advanced heater core bypass surgery

[mpj76]

I bypassed my heater core a long time ago with bypass caps and wormgear clamps. Three times now the caps have either popped off during high RPM or deteriorated and started leaking. The black metal coolant piping that they're connected to has an in and an out. I would have just connected them with a coolant hose "U-turn", but they're different diameters. They only other purpose the metal piping serves is to channel coolant by some type of sensor. I'm guessing it's a temp sensor for either the computer or dash. I would love to just remove it all together.

The sensor is threaded into the pipe, and one end of the pipe is threaded into the lower manifold. I was thinking about removing the black piping. Will the sensor fit into the manifold hole without mods? Will it still serve it's purpose? What should I do with the hose that goes from the water pump?

Has anyone done something similar? Maybe better?

[HoodStrype]

What year is this? You can goto lowes or home depot and get a grey piece of pvc that has different sizes on both sides... that is what i did to my 86 and used little band clamps- never noticed a sensor though. And mine were both the same size.

[mpj76]

It's a 91. The sensor is black plastic and about 2-3 inches long. It is threaded into the top of the piping, perpendicular to the hood. I forgot to mention that the car has the donut style oil cooler that is cooled by engine coolant. I don't want to get rid of the oil cooler.

[HoodStrype]

Well then... the only thing I could tell you is to spend $25 on the heater core... and find a way around the $300 installation! If you have a digital camera maybe some of the guys here could help ya if they saw a pic? Anyway, good luck