Heater Hose Connections

My 58 CJ5 has two heaters, I think there is a slight leak in the pass. side heater. After a time when I turn it on it will blow out vapor, I can smell anti-freeze odor most of the time, very slight. Here in NM i don't need the heaters most of the year. I want to disconnect both heaters until needed.
Question is should I connect the two hoses from the engine block, one at the water pump and other from the head for a return flow or plug the block. It seems to me engines without heater connections would probably have plugs in the block.

Thanks, John

 

I'll be interested as to how others weigh in on this. To my thinking when you turn the heater off the valve is blocking any return flow so by plugging the engine block you are basically doing the same thing without having a hose that could potentially leak in the future.

 

Either way. Many F-heads never had a heater at all.

BTW, I've had good luck repairing older heaterr cores. Better metal than modern ones.

 

Mine never had the heater so it has factory plugs in both.