thermostat question
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,209
Likes: 33
From: Texas-out west
thermostat question
I forgot to put my thermostat in (don't ask..lol), anyhow what will happen if I run it that way until I can get around to putting a new one in, will it run hot, colder, etc. I use car in town only. thanks.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 100
Likes: 6
From: Sonora CA
On your 67, it would probably just take a little longer to warm up, and act like it is cold for a longer time. Once you warm up, it shouldn't make any difference. In Texas, you probably wouldn't worry about it.
On the newer one, you might get a light on the emissions system.
On the newer one, you might get a light on the emissions system.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,068
Likes: 27
From: St. Joseph Mo
If it runs too cool, it will build up moisture on the underside of the valve covers, intake manifold etc.
My H. S. buddy built a '27 roadster powered by a Mopar hemi. Ran it without a thermostat for some time. It hardly ever got over 140* F. One day we pulled a valve cover to replace a leaky gasket and O.M.G. the water.
My H. S. buddy built a '27 roadster powered by a Mopar hemi. Ran it without a thermostat for some time. It hardly ever got over 140* F. One day we pulled a valve cover to replace a leaky gasket and O.M.G. the water.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 722
Likes: 32
From: S.F. ( E. Bay) Calif.
Don't sweat it!
It won't warm up as fast and while running at low speeds, with higher RPM's, it MAY NOT cool as well. And before you install the thermostat, put it in a pan of hot water(exceeding the expected opening temp of thermo) to observe if it opens correctly. Don't ask me how I know about that, either. I imagine there will be other bits of advice to follow I overlooked, also-lib
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7,106
Likes: 38
From: Newark DE
lack of a t-stat makes it slower to warm up to operating temps, causing increased cylinder bore and piston ring wear.
also, if the cooling system is sufficient enough to keep operating temps below 180º it's not enough heat to burn off excess vapors causing sludge to form in the oilpan
also, if the cooling system is sufficient enough to keep operating temps below 180º it's not enough heat to burn off excess vapors causing sludge to form in the oilpan
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Instructor
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: Grand Island NY
Greetings,
for someone just getting into vintage cars I need to ask a very basic question. For someone who has just purchased an old car but has not gone thru the mechanicals yet what is a sure fire way to know if the car has a thermostat ? With all these old corvettes coming from the south and west coast up North how can we tell ?
Thanks
John
for someone just getting into vintage cars I need to ask a very basic question. For someone who has just purchased an old car but has not gone thru the mechanicals yet what is a sure fire way to know if the car has a thermostat ? With all these old corvettes coming from the south and west coast up North how can we tell ?
Thanks
John
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7,106
Likes: 38
From: Newark DE
Greetings,
for someone just getting into vintage cars I need to ask a very basic question. For someone who has just purchased an old car but has not gone thru the mechanicals yet what is a sure fire way to know if the car has a thermostat ? With all these old corvettes coming from the south and west coast up North how can we tell ?
Thanks
John
for someone just getting into vintage cars I need to ask a very basic question. For someone who has just purchased an old car but has not gone thru the mechanicals yet what is a sure fire way to know if the car has a thermostat ? With all these old corvettes coming from the south and west coast up North how can we tell ?
Thanks
John
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: Grand Island NY
John
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7,106
Likes: 38
From: Newark DE
a lot of people with BB's and SB's take out the t-stats thinking it's helping their motors run cooler but that doesn't make it the right thing to do. If they are having overheating problems they should find and fix the issue causing the problem, not just remove the t-stat. It's in there for a reason.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,194
Likes: 13
From: Seattle area, WA (On the Eastside)
smokerun66: I had the same question when I first got my car because the old gauge never went over 100, and a friend just took the hose off the thermostat housing and looked into the housing. He poked a little in there and said that one was present. I don't know if it works though, because I took a two hour trip and the new gauge never went over 100 degrees either! It's a new gauge and we tested it so that we know it works.
Pro
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 568
Likes: 2
From: New Knoxville Ohio
I have ran without a thermostat. Never again. When running on the Interstate, the car would slowly build temp. until it overheated. I went to a radiator shop looking for the problem and he immediately asked if I was running without a thermostat. I said yes. He said they will always overheat without one, because the thermostat will stop the flow of water in the radiator long enough to take the heat out of it. I don't know if he is pulling my leg, but he put in a 180º thermostat and my heating problems were over with. I beleive in it and will never again will I run without a thermostat.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,016
Likes: 331
From: Southeast Missouri
I have ran without a thermostat. Never again. When running on the Interstate, the car would slowly build temp. until it overheated. I went to a radiator shop looking for the problem and he immediately asked if I was running without a thermostat. I said yes. He said they will always overheat without one, because the thermostat will stop the flow of water in the radiator long enough to take the heat out of it. I don't know if he is pulling my leg, but he put in a 180º thermostat and my heating problems were over with. I beleive in it and will never again will I run without a thermostat.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: Grand Island NY
Greetings, messages received from all greatly appreciated. They were most interesting especially those with direct experiences. This motivates me to go thru the entire system next spring - new stat, hoses, fluid, the works !
Thanks again
John.
Thanks again
John.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,513
Likes: 34
From: columbus ohio
oh no no no. you will end up with the body off the frame. fix one thing at a time. just kidding have fun. jim