Overheating, Heater Core issue

[majicwrench]

Nice thing about the "T" it gives you an easy place to bleed air.

[donerehart]

With the heater core leak (whether it's the core itself or an adjoining piece), I figure that we put the T in there to bypass the heater core.

You don't need a T.
Buy 2 feet of 5/8" heater hose, and run it from the heater pipe (the one that goes from the back of the water pump) to the long heater hose connection at the rear of the head (between cyl 3 and 4). Now you have completely bypassed the heater.

Be cautious with the metal heater pipe that goes back from the water pump. Originally they were bolted to the center exhaust manifold stud, but often that is no longer the case. Any bending of the pipe while getting heater hoses on/off may cause a leak at the front joint. To get the old hose off just cut it off, and use some lube to get the new one on, so you don;t have to push or pull very hard on the pipe.

I have that leak that you are referring to. Do I have to drain the whole system to figure out if it is the joint or the gasket?

[124JOE]

well if you have a tee then put the hoses together so you dont have to drain the whole system
then fix up the heater core "bring a small pail"
then reconnect the heatercore and burp the system with the valve open