Found my bypass elbow but have questions

[woodscavenger]

I found the elbow connector connecting the water pump to the thermostat housing but also has incorporated in it the bypass to the heater core. However it has been modified.

The opening that connect to the thermostat housing appears to have been plugged with a solid plug and then a small ~3/16" hole was drilled through it so only a small amount of fluid will go through.

Is this adequate?

Is there any reason you all can think of that this would have been done?

Any input is appreciated. Thanks

[Norm's Coupe]

Those do get plugged up with rust pretty solid. Maybe that's what happened and someone just drilled a hole through it. Or, maybe it was leaking and someone made that modification attempting to repair it. Otherwise if memory serves me right, that hole that meets the water pump should be square or rectangle.

Not sure but the only problem that may cause is that it would restrict the flow of water a little returning from the heater. On my coupe, the flow to the heater starts off the top rear of the head, then flows back from the heater in the top hose to that piece on top of the water pump.