Just checked, i have an electric water pump and there was NO thermostat in it. it runs 245degres when stuck in traffic on a hot day. I
have H/Cpkg. 502rwhp. should i put a 160 in. thanks Greg

 

Greg,

Yes - Run a thermostat. With no thermostat, you have constantly flowing coolant. This may seem fine but...

That will slow the warm up time of your engine. The 160 stat, or any stat, begins to open and allow flow thru the radiator at or about it's designated temp - in this case 160, mimicking - minus the actual structure of the stat, an open flow at temps above 160. A 160 stat is fully open around 170-180. A stock 187 will run just as warm as a 160 when the engine is at normal temp - if your normal temp is 200ish. You may run a bit cooler with a 160, but you have to have your fans reprogrammed.

There is much "HEATED" (get it??) debate on the cooler stats. That will never end.

So the answer is: You should have one because a certain degree of heat is much appreciated by engines, especially in the winter. You can install one, but you don't necessarily need a 160. The stock 187 or even a 180 will do fine. Injected engines are meant to run warmer than carb engines. Moisture can develop in your oil pan and can cause problems if not evaporated. The stat will allow your engine to reach normal temps in a timely manner.

245 seems a bit warm - especially with open flow. I think the manual says to shut down at 260. Your temp should be anywhere from 190-220ish - maybe less with no stat. You may want to have the pump checked.

Clear as mud?

Search the forum. There are lots of tips on engine temps.

But... Definitely put a stat in.


Chris

 

Thanks Chris !!!!!!!!

 

From the Service Manual ....

The thermostat also provides a restriction in the cooling system, even after it has opened. This restriction creates a pressure difference which prevents cavitation at the water pump and forces coolant to circulate through the engine block.

Schoon is correct, put the stock thermostat in and all will be fine ... your engine will run cooler than it is running now.

 

Make sure your looking for it in the correct location. If it's the Meziere pump the original LS1 thermostat is not used and you will find the housing empty. An older style thermostat is used and located behind the top outlet spout. That spout is threaded and uses an O ring seal. You might wan't to have a strap wrench to remove it.

Meziere recommends an 180 deg thermostat to be used with their LS1 system. The fans turn on times should be appropriate for whatever thermostat you select.

Make certain if you replace the thermostat you drill two 3/16 " air bleed holes near the outer edge and centered between the pellet module supports.

You might also wan't to check and make sure your pump is turning on and off in some reasonable manner. The pump electrics can be done in any number of ways but the most logical is to use a fuel pump supply line and use this to control a relay to activate your water pump.

LEC

 

Good call on the cavitation point, Black!

 

I had LG Long tubes installed and a dyno-tune at LG Motorsports in Texas. I brought a 160 degree thermostat and asked if it would be a good idea to install it. Lou said yes. They did not charge extra for the install. I did not discuss the pros and cons with him, but the tune was great and the car runs cool.
Just my 2 cents.

 

Who am I to argue.... but I will give you my opinion with rationale to support the opinion.

 

If the pump did not change the thermostat configuration then you need one for proper control of the coolant flow. The thermostat has 2 disks on it. When the disk for the radiator hose is closed the disk that allows coolant to circulate back to the block is open. When the disk for the radiator hose is open, the disk that allows coolant to circulate back to the block is closed. So, without a thermostat you don't force all the coolant to the radiator.

Anything else about thermostat temperature or cavitating or the old BS wives tale about the coolant flowing too fast means nothing compared to needing the thermostat to open and close the correct passages at the correct time.

 

OP.... you said you have an electric water pump.. what kind? Davies Craig has a digital water pump controller .... you don't use a thermostat and it uses pulse modulation to control the pump to move the fluid accordingly.