C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Thermostat????

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Old Nov 1, 2002 | 09:04 PM
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Default Thermostat????

I have seen on this forum....that when doing a complete coolant change...some people have said to have a hole drilled in the theromstat to aid in refilling???? In order to vent the extra air in the system.


How do you do this????


And where on the thermostat do you drill the hole?????


thanks...


tony :confused:

:D :D :confused: :D :D


[Modified by oldace84, 8:07 PM 11/1/2002]
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Old Nov 1, 2002 | 09:44 PM
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Default Re: Thermostat???? (oldace84)

Take a drill with a 1/8 bit and drill a hole through it with the thermostat out. You drill in a place that would allow coolant to pass through. On the flat flange area would work.

However, it is really not necessary to do this. :nonod:
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Old Nov 1, 2002 | 10:18 PM
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Default Re: Thermostat???? (chucks88)

[snip]On the flat flange area would work.

However, it is really not necessary to do this. :nonod: [/QUOTE]

Yes. but I use a 1/16 hole, not 1/8. 1/8 allows a lot of coolant to flow around the thermo and will take the engine longer to warm up.

As the post says, drill the hole in the flat flange area. Drill it as close to the center mechanism as you can, but not through that mechanism.

As far as being necessary, I sort of disagree. Withouth the hole, the system is harder to refill and keep the air out.

Jack
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Old Nov 1, 2002 | 10:50 PM
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Default Re: Thermostat???? (oldace84)

You drill a hole so that a little coolant is always circulating, in the chance that the tstat sticks. Also to let any air bubbles circulate instead of gettin trapped in the engine.

Its not really necessary if you burp the system.
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Old Nov 1, 2002 | 10:57 PM
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Default Re: Thermostat???? (jackdaroofer)

Looks good.....I will try it.....and many thanks for all the input...

tony :cheers:
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Old Nov 1, 2002 | 11:44 PM
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Default Re: Thermostat???? (oldace84)

There's one more thing. Do you have the 4+3?

The reason I ask, is because if you drill the thermostat, it'll take even longer for the coolant to warm up. It warms up quick when it's not circulating. I'm pretty sure your overdrive can't activate until the coolant temps are 176 degrees. I wasn't aware of this when I did mine. (My '85 activates at 140.) I'm going to change back to an undrilled stat when I get a chance. If you changed to a 160 stat, you'd really be screwed, even without drilling! Personally, I think it really sucks to have to drive 60mph at 3000 rpms or so for the first few minutes on the freeway. (with the 3.07 rear end too.) I can't believe no one had mentioned this before.

If you don't have a manual trans, then nevermind, this doesn't apply to you! :smash:
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Old Nov 2, 2002 | 12:21 AM
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Default Re: Thermostat???? (oldace84)

I agree on the 4+3. Mine kicks down out of the overdrive on cold days with the 180 thermo in it. When it opens up it cools the engine down a little to far on a cold day. I wish I would have put in a 190, and I still might. It works fine in temps above 50. I definately want to get one of those switches which kick the fan on before about 220. That is where mine seems to surge to in traffic before in kicks on. I have seen as high as 225. I don't know if this is normal? :eek:
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