I have a good question to throw out here. What is the true function of the by pass hose on a big block Chevy water pump except to make your life miserable? what is the thought in leaving it off? Just finished working on finishing the cooling system and making a new steel fuel line someone decided to cut this one and add a rubber hose was quite a job but is back all one piece now. Thanks Richard

The bypass hose has at least this function: it allows some water to circulate in a cold engine before the thermostat opens, thus preventing overpressure downstream, or vacuum upstream of the water pump.