Heater Hose Routing from Engine - Mysterious T (1 Viewer)

[Tecagist]

I've got a bit of a mystery that I am trying to figure out. I'm cleaning up the engine compartment of my 74 FJ40 (Late Model F engine aka 1.5) and I noticed that there is a T in between the heater valve on the engine (#1 in picture) and the heater valve on the firewall (#2 in picture). One end of the T has a hose that goes to the Heater Valve on the firewall (#2) and the other end has a hose that appears to be plugged in to the block (looks like the block drain). Am I confused on what I am seeing or is this something that you all have seen before and if so, what would be the purpose?

 

[charliemeyer007]

Its likely to aid in flushing the system.

https://www.amazon.com/Dorman-47153-Radiator-Flush-Tee/dp/B000DCO5DS

Robot or human?

www.walmart.com

 

[Pighead]

#11 screws into the top of the head at the rear of the engine. Mine got rusty so I replaced it with a valve

 

[hobbes]

That’s where I put my aid for flushing. You can see it against the firewall. Mine is an old “Prestone” setup.

 

[hobbes]

Another shot. Note, I’m not stock.

 

[Tecagist]

Its likely to aid in flushing the system.

https://www.amazon.com/Dorman-47153-Radiator-Flush-Tee/dp/B000DCO5DS

Robot or human?

www.walmart.com

Just so I understand, so you preeminently have a line connected to the engine drain so that when the T is switched it will route the heater water to flush the engine cooling system?

 

[Tecagist]

#11 screws into the top of the head at the rear of the engine. Mine got rusty so I replaced it with a valve

View attachment 3854740

View attachment 3854741

@Pighead but do you have a hose permanently plugged in to the engine drain plug (just below the farthest back freeze plug) that attaches to the valve you showed above via a T? That is what I am trying to track down?

 

[hobbes]

Do you have a photo of the area? The sounds like a homemade setup to reverse flush the block. But I might be misunderstanding you.

 

[Pighead]

@Pighead but do you have a hose permanently plugged in to the engine drain plug (just below the farthest back freeze plug) that attaches to the valve you showed above via a T? That is what I am trying to track down?

Nope. just an ordinary drain.
I'll show you mine if you show me yours...

 

[Tecagist]

Nope. just an ordinary drain.
I'll show you mine if you show me yours...

@hobbes & @Pighead here are the photos. The line that heads right (RED hose) from the T terminates in the engine drain. Snapped a pic but hard to see. Also there are no valves on the T so purely meant to perpetually split the flow toward the heater core and also to the drain plug.

 

[hobbes]

Pighead's photo shows the stock engine block drain.

My GUESS is that is a homemade reverse engine block flushing setup. Or maybe someone lost/broke the block drain and rigged that up to keep going. But again, that's a pure guess.

The black plastic valve on the other end isn't stock either.

Matt has some photos of new unions and a non-OEM block drain linked below. (I'd contact him before ordering anything to make sure he has anything in stock)

Search: 20 results found for "*coolant*" – VintageTEqParts.com

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vintageteqparts.com

 

[peesalot]

You have to flush them, who knew.

 

[Tecagist]

Pighead's photo shows the stock engine block drain.

My GUESS is that is a homemade reverse engine block flushing setup. Or maybe someone lost/broke the block drain and rigged that up to keep going. But again, that's a pure guess.

The black plastic valve on the other end isn't stock either.

Matt has some photos of new unions and a non-OEM block drain linked below. (I'd contact him before ordering anything to make sure he has anything in stock)

Search: 20 results found for "*coolant*" – VintageTEqParts.com

VintageTeqParts.com YourOnline land cruiser parts Specialty Store Vintage Toyota parts Land Cruiser Tool Engine Power train Chassis Body Electrical Locks Keys Locksmith Service Specializing In Vintage TOYOTA ONLY .....

vintageteqparts.com

It seems like a bad idea. Curious, what if any negative impact there is from this setup.

Regarding the black heater valve on the left - I have already ordered an OEM valve for the firewall and plan to replace what's there. I was looking at Matt's Union Valve here: ( THE ULTIMATE UNION HOSE BIB CAT'S MEOW ) Cylinder Head & Early Threaded Water Pump Outlet Heater Shut Off Valve / Hose Bib / Fitting Assy. Pet Cock 100% Made in JAPAN Chrome Plated Main body ALL BRASS Internals and Moving Parts Part # 87240-10010 - VintageTEqParts.com - https://vintageteqparts.com/products/the-ultimate-cats-meow-cylinder-head-early-threaded-water-pump-outlet-heater-shut-off-valve-hose-bib-fitting-assy-100-made-in-japan-chrome-plated-main-body-all-brass-internals-and-moving-parts-part-87240-10010?variant=40516013391957, but haven't ordered yet as I'm not sure if I need it... yet. I've just ordered a new block drain and plug end drain from SOR. Does anyone know what size hose that is between the Union heater shutoff valve and the firewall valve?