[updated:LAST EDITED ON 07-Mar-02 AT 00:32 AM (EST)]hey guys, the thermostat on my 400 went bad, and as i was talking to my uncle he said i didnt need to buy another. he said just to leave the thermostat out, its better the truck will run cooler.
now it seems like a OK idea since i live in florida, but im kinda skeptical. all cars have thermostats, so they have them for a reason.
what do ya'll think? is it a stupid idea to not put it a thermostat or would it really not hurt anything to leave it out?????
thanx gabe

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 07-Mar-02 AT 01:34 AM (EST)]Dumb idea alright.

You're correct. Ford engines are designed to run at a certain temperature [195*] although you can in hot climates get away with running a 180* year round.
Don't go any lower than 180*.
Your engine will run more efficiently and economy will be better than going cooler.

When you buy your 180 * thermostat make sure you bench test it before installing it.

Put the thermostat in a pot of water on the stove with a candy thermometer in it to measure the temp of when it opens.


Dennis https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&photoid=1733&.jpg



[b]Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions[b]
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78 F-150 429CJ,Silver, Explorer Pkg.
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64-Fairlane500 S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang 289-Sunlit Gold 80,892Mi
78-Buick LeSabre 403 4V
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Dre'
1978 F-150, 460ci(750cfm,Edelbrock Performer,Dynomax Ceramic Coated headers,etc.)Auto-C6,373:1 - 9" Posi.

 

thanks for the help...i kinda figured it was a dumb idea to not have a thermostat!!!!
thanx again
gabriel

 

Buy a 180 thermostat and see if you can get a performance thermostat. It will last longer and it will open within 2 degrees of 180. Only about $9. Don't forget to always buy a new gasket and clean both surfaces of the old material.

 

ditto!

 

Definitly good advice here. If you can't get a performance stat, at least buy the top of the line that they have. I had 2 in a row fail on me, one closed and one open, before I asked and found out the counter man was selling me the "bargain" junk. Me and the parts man then had a "small" discussion.

Texas Bird

Daddy's First Car Was A Model T--He Bought It Used For $11.50

1979 F150 Custom--Betsy--302 2V, 4sp.OD(RUG)

1978 F150 Ranger XLT--Snuffy--400 2V, C6

 

I only run a restrictor plate on my mustang but its a drag racer and has an electric water pump that does not work with a thermostat. For any street driven vehicle a thermostat is needed to hold or slow down the water flow long enough for the radiator to cool it off. In many instances, running without a thermostat will actually make the motor run hotter unless it was stuck or there is junk running through the coolant that is clogging it up.

I don't agree that a hot motor runs better although the cold/hot thing is somewhat relative. I warm my race motor up to only around 160 degrees before I get on the track. It runs a lot better in the cool end of the temperature zone. However, on these emission controlled motors one of the reasons they won't run any better than a 3 legged dog when cold is that they have a thermal vacuum switch that holds off any distributor advance until the motor is fully warmed up. There are a few other thermal switches that only kick in once the motor is fully heated(cold air intake, choke, etc). If you go to a colder thermostat you could keep the motor from ever getting to its calibrated running temp and defeat a bunch of stuff that you might want to actually work.