if a small length of hose is used to connect the two ports then coolant is allowed to flow through the entire block until the thermostat opens. this will allow more even cylinder/head temps throughout and possibly eliminate steam pockets that could happen in any hot spots. I understand the old cars came with a heater delete option but the newer stuff makes more HP and like to run hotter so a nice looking bypass hose wouldn't be such a bad idea possibly. there is already the small bypass built into the block on the water pump mounting flange. the little hole below the pass side bolt hole is actually a runner up to the cyl head for flow. not gonna pass much coolant though. a couple pics here.
https://www.hotrodders.com/forum/wat...-a-414257.html