Hello, new here with a (newly acquired) '58 F100 272 Y-block.
I'm puzzled at some of the findings tho- I hope someone here can perhaps shed some light.
I found a three prong plug sticking out from under the hood and chased it to this small canister and hoses? Anyone know what this stuff is?...or what it should be?

The plug



Traced back to this on the right side fenderwell. The plug wire goes into the lower portion of this small upright canister



Overall, you can see the hoses...one plugged, etc

 

Welcome to FTE.

Those are the likely remains of a now-deceased cooling system warming and recirculating pump.It was installed in-line in a heater hose to prevent the engine block from freezing up.

Steve

 

Thanks! So I'm assuming this is no longer needed. Should those hoses be connected to something original?
I haven't received my shop manual yet so I'm not sure what is supposed to be.

 

That is an aftermarket coolant heater. It will not show up in the shop manual.

I notice that your heater core is bypassed (hose goes from water pump to engine). So you have no flow to the in cab heater. Mormally an aftermarket coolant heater is spliced into one of the lines leading to the heater. This is not needed unless tou like to have a pre heated truck on cold mornings.

 

Thanks again, Steve and 3414. All and any info is appreciated!
I'll try to get it back to normal without the aftermarket coolant heater. Truthfully I may end up omitting the heater here in TX.... But we'll see. Thanks!

 

More then likely someone disconnected the heater because the core leaked.