Need Help Figuring out what a port is for on the block

[gen2b5]

Hello Folks, I need to identify a port on my block. The area circled on the photo below w/ the bolt (photo borrowed from for sale section on forum). 

I used this photo because it is hard to see on my installed motor. On my motor there is a hose nipple connection on the block but I am not sure where I am supposed to connect it. I  have a 1975 carb intake on a 318i head/320Block (distributor sorting is next on the list... ugh).  Thanks for any insight. 

 

[Conserv]

Below is my ‘76’s engine. Does this answer your question?

 

Regards,

 

Steve

 

[Chris_B]

I have the same bolt in my block in that location and it is not connected to anything. It may be, but I don't recall, (and this is a WAG) that there was a connection there for the downdraft intake manifold hot water warming circuit.

[stephers]

It goes up to the water heater for the choke, the other line from the choke goes to the intake manifold

[Chris_B]

It answers mine.

[stephers]

Oh my gosh, Steve , you have the lines on the water choke backwards

[Chris_B]

ha ha

[stephers]

I knew I would get a rise out of someone

[Conserv]

7 hours ago, stephers said:

Oh my gosh, Steve , you have the lines on the water choke backwards

 

Too late: the engine blew up! At least you tried! No one else cared. ??

 

Regards,

 

Steve

 

 

[gen2b5]

Thanks Steve et al. As always this is the place for helpful answers. That is exactly what I needed. Makes sense. I switched to an electric Weber during the rebuild.

 

One follow up question - Can I plug the intake port and block port or does the engine need this to circulate cooling juice?  Thanks!

[Conserv]

54 minutes ago, gen2b5 said:

Thanks Steve et al. As always this is the place for helpful answers. That is exactly what I needed. Makes sense. I switched to an electric Weber during the rebuild.

 

One follow up question - Can I plug the intake port and block port or does the engine need this to circulate cooling juice?  Thanks!

 

I don’t know the technically correct answer, but a few owners — who retain the original intake manifold — have simply run a hose from the block nipple to the manifold nipple, so as not to interrupt the flow.

 

Regards,

 

Steve

 

Edited November 16, 2018 by Conserv

[TobyB]

You can plug it- that part of the head, above, bleeds through the heater.

 

t

 

[halboyles]

Side-draft (and tii?) applications don't use that port at all so it comes from the factory blocked.

[Son of Marty]

Part number 111-112-541-89 for the plug and 071-199-630-73 for the seal ring.

[worzella]

To further flog the topic ?