Thermostat Mod
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: Texas
I've had the same question since thermostat failure has cooked many engines. Stant(I think this is their name) is advertising a thermostat called "Failsafe" that solves this problem according to their ads. I wondered what some of you thought about the mod, or, this new stat. regards
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Cheap stats fail closed. The better stats fail open. A "Fail Safe" stat isn't anything new, it's just new marketing.
Drilling a couple of 1/8th" holes around the flange can help a little with expelling the air in the system (burping) after a flush and fluid change. It would not have prevented the "meltdown" caused by the cheap stat that failed closed.
RACE ON!!!
Drilling a couple of 1/8th" holes around the flange can help a little with expelling the air in the system (burping) after a flush and fluid change. It would not have prevented the "meltdown" caused by the cheap stat that failed closed.
RACE ON!!!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,146
Likes: 1,730
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Its just better for burping and is a big help if the stat fails.
Its not something you necessarily need or have to do.
Its not something you necessarily need or have to do.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 4
From: Hinckley Ohio
Originally Posted by kmath3
I've read several threads in the past where members have said to drill a small hole in the thermostat. Could someone please give me the exact details on this? Thanks in advance....
I think it was a "trick" to make the engine run a little cooler.....
I tried it.....put in 3 or 4 holes, don't remember exactly.....but the result was in the end the car didn't run any cooler when it was really hot outside.......but when it was cool the car NEVER would warm up......seems like if it was 60 out, the temp only reached 150......and it really delayed warm-up.....
Bottom line, it is nonsense....don't waste your time, more bad effects than good....
BTW certainly won't prevent overheating if the stat fails in warm weather...
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 4
From: Hinckley Ohio
Originally Posted by kmath3
I've read several threads in the past where members have said to drill a small hole in the thermostat. Could someone please give me the exact details on this? Thanks in advance....
http://www.stewartcomponents.com/tec...ech_Tips_3.htm
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,957
Likes: 706
From: WI
From what I know, you drill ONE small hole to prevent thermal shock to the head. (A surge of cool coolant into a hot aluminum head) More holes are ok but the car will take longer to warm up or may not warm up at all. I used a balanced type thermostat in mine. Some thermostats have a small poppet valve instead of just a hole. I'm not sure when the hole drilling came about but maybe it was from thermostats that in the past didn't work as well. Check into a balanced thermostat, Summit has them!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,137
Likes: 5
From: Howard PA
One 1/8 hole is all that's needed. Drilling anymore will probably change flow. This is the first I've heard anyone trying more holes looking for better cooling or whatever. The intent of a small hole is only to avoid burping and getting coolant up to the thermostat when refilling the system.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Tstat----
1996 A4, When I first purchased it I drilled several holes (1/8"),I think I drilled four. I liked the difference and removed the tstat. Now I run around 188-190. I think this works well in very hot climates like South Florida.
