Anybody run with no thermostat in the summer? What's better to do?

[ubtripn]

I am trying to get my 350 to run cooler. I have heard two theories:

1. No thermostat means more overheating because the coolant has left time to be cooled.

2. No thermostat means the engine runs cooler because it is less restricted.

So far in my life number 2 has proven true but not this time.

[RRR18]

Run one. I run a 205 and it never goes beyond 215. I tried both of your options while living in Arizona for years. When I didn't run one was when I ran into the most problems. Just my opinion though. Good luck.

[ya it is a classic]

you can also get i think its a 175 thermostat. thats what i have in my pickup for the summer then come winter time ill get the hottest one i can

[storm9c1]

I subscribe to the notion that water needs to flow somewhat slowly through the rad to properly transfer all the heat from the fluid to the air. It's the thermostat's job to regulate how much water flows. If anything, having a thermostat will let the vehicle reach normal operating temps sooner, which is good for a cleaner burn in the combustion chamber. In fact, fuel injected vehicles will get terrible has mileage if the engine doesn't reach operating temperatures because the computer will keep it rich.

Also, talk to a machine shop, they will tell you how combustion chambers need a certain temperature to operate properly. And how a too cold of a range can cause long term damage. Likewise, too hot can cause damage. Thermostat keeps it in the correct range.

They do make thermostats that go all the way down to 160 degrees. However, that's a little low for daily driving IMHO. But better than not running one at all.

I have a really good article bookmarked on another computer that explains why running too cool a stat causes wasted fuel and long term damage. It was written by an engine machinist. If I find it, I'll post it. After I read the article, I vowed never to run anything but a 180 stat again. If you are overheating, you have other problems.

[ya it is a classic]

Originally Posted by storm9c1

I subscribe to the notion that water needs to flow somewhat slowly through the rad to properly transfer all the heat from the fluid to the air. It's the thermostat's job to regulate how much water flows. If anything, having a thermostat will let the vehicle reach normal operating temps sooner, which is good for a cleaner burn in the combustion chamber. In fact, fuel injected vehicles will get terrible has mileage if the engine doesn't reach operating temperatures because the computer will keep it rich.

Also, talk to a machine shop, they will tell you how combustion chambers need a certain temperature to operate properly. And how a too cold of a range can cause long term damage. Likewise, too hot can cause damage. Thermostat keeps it in the correct range.

They do make thermostats that go all the way down to 160 degrees. However, that's a little low for daily driving IMHO. But better than not running one at all.

I have a really good article bookmarked on another computer that explains why running too cool a stat causes wasted fuel and long term damage. It was written by an engine machinist. If I find it, I'll post it. After I read the article, I vowed never to run anything but a 180 stat again. If you are overheating, you have other problems.

for the best results you want cool coolant temps and high combustion temps. but the coolant cant be too cold cause then the combustion temps wont be as high...i read that somewhere

and ya you might have other problems...i bought a 55 chevy 3200 that was sitting for 8 years and fired it up and it heated up in about 3 minutes. all the rad lines were plugged with dirt. it was absolute hell getting all the dirt out! if i was you i would check the water pump, and when was the last time you flushed your system? you may need to add more antifreeze because thats also antiheat. and heck mabey your thermostat is no good or isnt working correctly? there like 4 bucks so if i was you i would just get the coolest thermostat that you can. also do you have a fan shroud? i took mine off and it didnt make a difference(granted thou i have my hood off) but with that 175 it never gets above the bottom mark on the normal range even with the hood on and 90 degrees outside.
hopefully this helps you out

[KQQL IT]

160° is an option.
Posted via Mobile Device

[ubtripn]

All of this helped a ton, thank you very much. I have a 180 I will put in right away and will be modifying the shroud to fit today. I replaced the 3 row with a 4 row. Thanks again!

[donut]

Tried it both ways when I lived in the Phoenix metro area as a teenager.

Thermostat- My under-radded Furd was good for about 45 min in the summer heat, without the thermostat, 20 min. Without the thermostat it would violently overheat. With it would just get hot.

A 160* did help the Ford.

My K-20 did run a 195*. In the winter I still had to block off the rad (in Maine), In SC, it was still running cool, even in traffic @ 90*.

[stich626]

run one..
emissions clean run hotter 195*
power runa cooler one 170
160 lets the coolant move to fast in most street cars
180 is a nice balance

[Redcap]

195.

[storm9c1]

OK, I found the links:

(cooling tips)
http://carnut.com/ramblin/cool1.html

(damage caused by running engines too cold)
http://carnut.com/ramblin/cool3.html

(fan comparison)
http://carnut.com/ramblin/dyno.html

[GASoline71]

180 from the factory. The "hotter" stats were for later model rigs.

I run 180 stats in all my 1st gen SBC's with no problems. But I also don't live where it gets super hot too often as well.

Gary

[Redcap]

Originally Posted by GASoline71

180 from the factory. The "hotter" stats were for later model rigs.

I run 180 stats in all my 1st gen SBC's with no problems. But I also don't live where it gets super hot too often as well.

Gary

Same here, 180s or 195s in everything. And no overheating problems.

[prostreetC-10]

Originally Posted by GASoline71

But I also don't live where it gets super hot too often as well.

Gary

LOL Gary you guys have about 13 sunny days a year!! My sis was just down from Bellevue and we were talking about DEE GLOOM.

[GASoline71]

Originally Posted by prostreetC-10

LOL Gary you guys have about 13 sunny days a year!! My sis was just down from Bellevue and we were talking about DEE GLOOM.

HAHA! Yep... plus I live out on Whidbey Island where it's about 10 degrees cooler than the mainland.

Gary

[ubtripn]

The 180 is working great. Thanks for all the info and links.

[LONGHAIR]

The efficiency of the cooling system is very important in this equation. Adding a lower-temp thermostat will not bring the temperature of the coolant down if the radiator cannot get rid of the heat. Changing the thermostat's heat range is not the cure for an engine that overheats anyway....it has other problems.
As a general rule:
If it overheats on the highway, it has a coolant issue. Either the coolant doesn't flow well (scale/sludge in the block of radiator tubes) or the radiator is not up to the task.
If it overheats in low speed city driving, you have an air-flow problem...fan, shroud, blocked radiator fins, etc.

[ubtripn]

Good to know, thanks!

[prostreetC-10]

Just one final thought is that many times when someone is not running a thermostat they are still running a restrictor ring. They have different sizes of restrictor rings that go in place of the T stat. These are almost always for the race track and it takes testing to get the correct one for the conditions. Use a stat in anything on the street.

[fastwillie 696969]

try water wetter

[ubtripn]

lol

[BMERDOC]

I took the time to scan through the posts to add this: If you do not run a thermostat the temp at the rear of the block will be higher than the front and may fry rings and overall the back of the block. Flow should always be regulated. Yes, temps will always be higher but if the water near the front of the block is always circulating out and not picking up heat from the rear fast enough you can fry the back of the block and never know why the rear cylinders failed or never run at a balanced tune with the fronts.

[ubtripn]

Awesome point! Well, I got my new ump in, new raduiator and finally the right clutch fan and thermostat (180) and she runs dead on except at idle she runs 190 to 195 becauseI have to get a shroud. I like to try to make my rigs run like the engineers intended them to. I figure there are reasons I do not know about like the one you just mentioned.

[prostreetC-10]

I just realized that Mr. Boise, ID was the original poster. Man.....it can cook there in the summer! If you are only creeping to 190*-195* at a dead stop, that's not bad at all. Absolutely need a shroud. They are engineering marvels!

[ubtripn]

I hear ya, shroud is the next step.