no thermostat???????
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
From: Florida
no thermostat???????
I've often heard some old schoolers that say you can run your older engines without a thermostat. My cousin just got his 76 F150 running after a mild restoration and his dad told him not to put a thermostat in. He said since we live in Florida and its hot, not running a thermostat will help keep the engine cooler. I just want to get you alls advise on the negatives effects and positive if any on not running a thermostat.
Gabe
Gabe
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
I'm no engineer but an engine is designed to run at a specific temp. Not doin so will hamper performance. Also even though he/she lives in Florida it still cools way down at night at least in the winter. Not runnin a t-stat is usually just a bandaid on a poor performing cooling system.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,011
Likes: 0
From: South Dakota
Without a t-stat the motor will run hot as a t-stat holds the coolant allowing the rad to cool what is in it.
BUT on aluminum motors and comp controlled with super efficent cooling the reverse can be true. Hence running a warm enough t-stat with fuel injected motors as the comp will 'see' the motor as 'cold' and keep it in a too rich condition.
Older motors, cooling setups and cast iron non-comp setups need a thermo around 185*-192*. I prefer 190*-195*, never had a problem with temp just with bad thermostats.
BUT on aluminum motors and comp controlled with super efficent cooling the reverse can be true. Hence running a warm enough t-stat with fuel injected motors as the comp will 'see' the motor as 'cold' and keep it in a too rich condition.
Older motors, cooling setups and cast iron non-comp setups need a thermo around 185*-192*. I prefer 190*-195*, never had a problem with temp just with bad thermostats.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,404
Likes: 1
From: Everett, Wa
Your cousins father is right and wrong. It will run cooler until it warms up and at that point it will run at whatever cooling capacity the system can handle. The problem is this will very from day to day based on outside temp. This means tuning will be next to impossible.
Once the t-stat reaches its open temp it very rarely will close unless you live in a very cold climate. Determining what t-stat to use depends on many factors, comp ratio's grade of fuel, cam, cooling capacity of the system, etc. At whatever temp is right for a given engine you want it to be constant regardless of outside air. This allows for a stable tune and a better running combo in all conditions.
Once the t-stat reaches its open temp it very rarely will close unless you live in a very cold climate. Determining what t-stat to use depends on many factors, comp ratio's grade of fuel, cam, cooling capacity of the system, etc. At whatever temp is right for a given engine you want it to be constant regardless of outside air. This allows for a stable tune and a better running combo in all conditions.
Last edited by tmyers; Aug 2, 2004 at 01:04 AM.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 540
Likes: 0
From: Northern MD
You really should never run without a thermostat. #1, the enginge will never reach its operating temperature which leads to poor fuel mileage, increased wear, etc. #2, the cooling system was designed with the thermostat restriction in mind. By removing it, the coolant flow will increase, possibly causing overheating. Not sure, never tried it. If you really want to run without a thermostat, get an old thermostat and remove the valve portion only. You'll never have to worry about it sticking closed, and the restriction will still be in the cooling system. For what it's worth though, I'd install a good quality thermostat and be done with it.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 6
From: SD
Originally Posted by 68torino
Without a t-stat the motor will run hot as a t-stat holds the coolant allowing the rad to cool what is in it.
Plus, without one, the motor takes twice as long to warm to normal operating temp. Which means the carb choke isn't opening correctly making it run crappy. And there is more wear when engine is cold vs hot...
Marty
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Thanks for the help guys. I will put a thermostat in when its time to put my engine back in my truck. thanks again for the advice.
Gabe
Gabe
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
From: Arkansas
I know a guy who had a Boss 302 in a 67 pickup who just put a largish washer where the thermostat goes. That way it restricted some water.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 837
Likes: 2
From: Minnesota
Here's a link to a pdf file that will explain a lot for you. Best information I've found so far.
http://www.grapeaperacing.com/GrapeA...tech/index.cfm
Pull up the cooling article and go through it. Cooling isn't quite as simple as one would think ....
http://www.grapeaperacing.com/GrapeA...tech/index.cfm
Pull up the cooling article and go through it. Cooling isn't quite as simple as one would think ....
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
FL SuperDuty
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel
2
Mar 22, 2017 06:24 PM
351Cleveland C4
335 Series- 5.8/351M, 6.6/400, 351 Cleveland
5
Dec 2, 2016 06:39 PM
Dusto5
FE & FT Big Block V8 (332, 352, 360, 390, 406, 410, 427, 428)
12
Jun 1, 2009 01:14 AM
