Thermostat dump
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,886
Likes: 9
When I was in college, a buddy had an old Plymouth. He pulled the thermostat out of it, against my recommendation. A year later, the engine was burning a quart of oil per every 100 miles!
"Parts left out cost nothing and pose no service problems."
If the factory put it there, they had a good reason to do so.
Keep the thermostat.
"Parts left out cost nothing and pose no service problems."
If the factory put it there, they had a good reason to do so.
Keep the thermostat.
Last edited by gcusmano74; May 28, 2013 at 10:38 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
Never underestimate the power of the age old belief that one person sitting under a shade tree can single handedly out-engineer GM and all other manufactures combined.
It starts with thinking 'stupid OEMs' and goes downhill from there.
It amazes me how long these cars last despite what people do to them.
It starts with thinking 'stupid OEMs' and goes downhill from there.
It amazes me how long these cars last despite what people do to them.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Racer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 393
Likes: 3
That's exactly what I am going with, I was going to machine a restrictor orifice to go under the neck but I have an old thermostat I will run it through the glass beader take out the pill and use it. There is never much winter here in south Georgia and I all I drive it for is fun so if it gets cold I will drive something else
Last edited by 77C34SPD; May 29, 2013 at 06:38 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,716
Likes: 121
From: Sulphur LA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06,'11,'13-'14,'16,'18,'19,'24, '25
A couple things come to mind,
The AFR changes over 2 to 3 points with temp changes. When you crank your car at ambient tmep the AFR is lean, very lean, the mixture gets more rich with temp. I've seen the AFR start at 16:1 at crank up and settle at 13.5:1 after warm up (190*). Not sure if your carb is the original or if its been replaced and tuned for your car but its something to think about.
At around 40 mph the air flow is sufficient enough to cool the water to the point that the fans will turn off if everything is in place and working correctly.
As far as combustion efficiency goes a consistent temp would be best.
By not having a T-stat the temp will fluctuate
Neal
The AFR changes over 2 to 3 points with temp changes. When you crank your car at ambient tmep the AFR is lean, very lean, the mixture gets more rich with temp. I've seen the AFR start at 16:1 at crank up and settle at 13.5:1 after warm up (190*). Not sure if your carb is the original or if its been replaced and tuned for your car but its something to think about.
At around 40 mph the air flow is sufficient enough to cool the water to the point that the fans will turn off if everything is in place and working correctly.
As far as combustion efficiency goes a consistent temp would be best.
By not having a T-stat the temp will fluctuate
Neal
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,532
Likes: 14
From: Dallas-Fort Worth TX
There are problems reported with the newer Mr. Gasket thermostats. They are a Robertshaw design that is supposed to fail in the open position. I am currently running them in a '69 429 LTD, a '71 429SCJ Mustang and my '77. So far no problems. I get them at Auto Zone in the engine dress up section. I will leave the decision to run without one to you.
mike...
mike...Your fans will most likely come on about 5-10 degrees higher than what the fan switch is rated at since the stat is in the intake and the fan switch is on the rad. Mr Dewitt has confirmed this on a few threads. The fan switch has a +/- 5-10 degree diff, typically its a + degrees
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,716
Likes: 121
From: Sulphur LA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06,'11,'13-'14,'16,'18,'19,'24, '25
one other thing;
Howard Stewart (the original owner of Stewart Components) has documented that the system needs to run at the highest pressure possible for best cooling, also helps eliminate hot spots.
The T-stat is the orifice that separates the high and low pressure side. Without the T-stat the system will operate at the lowest pressure.
Neal
Howard Stewart (the original owner of Stewart Components) has documented that the system needs to run at the highest pressure possible for best cooling, also helps eliminate hot spots.
The T-stat is the orifice that separates the high and low pressure side. Without the T-stat the system will operate at the lowest pressure.
Neal
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 914
Likes: 10
From: Brooklet Ga.
That will work just fine. I also have Dewitts with a 16" fan. Fan is set to come on at 185 and off at 200.. Car will run for 6-7 minutes to bring temp up to 170-180. I'm no engineer, but I'm sure that is ok. Drove over 100 miles yesterday non stop,temp stays at 185-200. Again, I'm not an engineer, but I'm sure its ok..
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 914
Likes: 10
From: Brooklet Ga.
A couple things come to mind,
The AFR changes over 2 to 3 points with temp changes. When you crank your car at ambient tmep the AFR is lean, very lean, the mixture gets more rich with temp. I've seen the AFR start at 16:1 at crank up and settle at 13.5:1 after warm up (190*). Not sure if your carb is the original or if its been replaced and tuned for your car but its something to think about.
At around 40 mph the air flow is sufficient enough to cool the water to the point that the fans will turn off if everything is in place and working correctly.
As far as combustion efficiency goes a consistent temp would be best.
By not having a T-stat the temp will fluctuate
Neal
The AFR changes over 2 to 3 points with temp changes. When you crank your car at ambient tmep the AFR is lean, very lean, the mixture gets more rich with temp. I've seen the AFR start at 16:1 at crank up and settle at 13.5:1 after warm up (190*). Not sure if your carb is the original or if its been replaced and tuned for your car but its something to think about.
At around 40 mph the air flow is sufficient enough to cool the water to the point that the fans will turn off if everything is in place and working correctly.
As far as combustion efficiency goes a consistent temp would be best.
By not having a T-stat the temp will fluctuate
Neal
Last edited by Skip Burney; May 28, 2013 at 11:13 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
one other thing;
Howard Stewart (the original owner of Stewart Components) has documented that the system needs to run at the highest pressure possible for best cooling, also helps eliminate hot spots.
The T-stat is the orifice that separates the high and low pressure side. Without the T-stat the system will operate at the lowest pressure.
Neal
Howard Stewart (the original owner of Stewart Components) has documented that the system needs to run at the highest pressure possible for best cooling, also helps eliminate hot spots.
The T-stat is the orifice that separates the high and low pressure side. Without the T-stat the system will operate at the lowest pressure.
Neal
The temp your sending unit sees is nothing compared to the valve bridge. You really want the pressure.