C3 General General C3 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Thermostat fail safe

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 21, 2017 | 02:23 AM
  #1  
tpfarm's Avatar
tpfarm
Thread Starter
Pro
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 695
Likes: 55
From: Palm Desert California
Default Thermostat fail safe

Hi all;
Installing a new radiator and would like to replace my stat with one that fails in the open position. I did a search and nothing came up . does anyone know of a particular brand that is reliable and where to purchase one. Trying to avoid the off shore parts. Thanks.

Car is '73 350

Last edited by tpfarm; May 21, 2017 at 09:54 AM. Reason: more info
Reply
Old May 21, 2017 | 04:51 AM
  #2  
donaldb1's Avatar
donaldb1
Advanced
 
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 74
Likes: 15
From: Americus GA
Default Fail Safe thermostats

Probably nothing but off-shore available. Oreilly has them in several ranges. They will lock open too soon. Get extra gaskets.
Reply
Old May 21, 2017 | 06:11 AM
  #3  
Dynra Rockets's Avatar
Dynra Rockets
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,152
Likes: 252
Default

Thermostats normally fail closed due to the fact they are closed when the engine is cold (ironically my two dead thermostats in 36 years/21 cars, have both failed open).

I started drilling a small bypass hole in thermostats in the early 90s if it doesn't have one already from factory. Saw it on a Mazda I was working on at the time and thought it was a good idea. Google Images "thermostat bypass hole"

Last edited by Dynra Rockets; May 21, 2017 at 06:20 AM.
Reply
Old May 21, 2017 | 06:37 PM
  #4  
DUB's Avatar
DUB
Race Director
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
Default

YEP..I drill a small hole in the thermostat also....and have been doing it long before it seems to be a common practice from some auto manufacturers.

I have had ONE of the 'fail safe' thermostats from O'Reillys fail and not do its job...so I do not use them any longer....that is why you have a temp gauge....to keep an eye on it.

DUB
Reply
Old May 22, 2017 | 03:34 PM
  #5  
MelWff's Avatar
MelWff
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,741
Likes: 2,583
Default

use a Steward wide mouth thermostat

example http://www.jegs.com/i/Stewart-Compon...FYaFswodkKEAOQ
Reply
Old May 22, 2017 | 03:38 PM
  #6  
John 65's Avatar
John 65
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,381
Likes: 416
From: N J
Default

Save your $$$$$

I had one of those t-stats go bad on me last year. It was just like any other t-stat would fail.
Reply
Old May 22, 2017 | 04:11 PM
  #7  
Mr D.'s Avatar
Mr D.
Team Owner
Supporting Lifetime Gold
20 Year Member
Veteran: Navy
Community Builder
Liked
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 44,683
Likes: 1,832
From: Huntsville AL
Default

I cut the center out of my T-Stat
Reply
Old May 22, 2017 | 06:35 PM
  #8  
DUB's Avatar
DUB
Race Director
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
Default

Originally Posted by Mr D.
I cut the center out of my T-Stat
I can agree with that. As long as the end result is doing its job and the temps are not skyrocketing....it does not matter.

I have used what I have shown in the photo below in some unique applications and often times they may need to be changed from a 'summer time' set-up to a 'winter time' set-up due to the owner want the heater to put off good heat.



DUB
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old May 22, 2017 | 07:17 PM
  #9  
Mod75's Avatar
Mod75
Race Director
15 Year Member
Veteran: Army
Community Builder
Liked
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,684
Likes: 696
From: Danville Illinois
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
2021 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Default

My dad showed me this a long time ago, right/wrong ? Cant say but it sure does make it easier to evacuate the air from the Vetts cooling system.


Last edited by Mod75; May 22, 2017 at 10:39 PM.
Reply
Old May 22, 2017 | 09:31 PM
  #10  
Mr D.'s Avatar
Mr D.
Team Owner
Supporting Lifetime Gold
20 Year Member
Veteran: Navy
Community Builder
Liked
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 44,683
Likes: 1,832
From: Huntsville AL
Default

Originally Posted by DUB
I can agree with that. As long as the end result is doing its job and the temps are not skyrocketing....it does not matter.

DUB
This is a science project in the making, will post all my findings in another thread.
Reply
Old May 23, 2017 | 07:01 PM
  #11  
DUB's Avatar
DUB
Race Director
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
Default

Originally Posted by Mod75
My dad showed me this a long time ago, right/wrong ? Cant say but it sure does make it easier to evacuate the air from the Vetts cooling system.

I have been doing it like this for so ling I can not remember when I started it and I have NEVER had an issue with the hole in the thermostat causing any problems. This DEFINITELY speeds up getting the air out of the system.

Originally Posted by Mr D.
This is a science project in the making, will post all my findings in another thread.
BOY do I know what you mean by that statement. If you can remember to do so...PM me a link to it ...just in case I miss it when you start that thread.

DUB
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Thermostat fail safe





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:44 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE