How crucial is a thermostat, really?

[elks]

Run it. The person that said those north do not use them is wrong. Usually we run the warmest one we can find. We also tend to use some cardboard to slow the cooling down in the coldest points.

The thermostat is necessary to keep the engine running at optimal temps. As mentioned, no thermostat may run it too cool.

Also longer engines from front to back are said to have really wild temp issues without a thermostat. I have read that the AMC inline 6 258(popular jeep motor) will burn up the back cylinder if it is ran too long without a stat because the t stat is needed to create enough pressure to send the fluid all the way back to the rear of the block.

[Critter]

Originally Posted by elks

Run it. The person that said those north do not use them is wrong. Usually we run the warmest one we can find. We also tend to use some cardboard to slow the cooling down in the coldest points.

I think you are talking about my first post and I think you misread it. I said that people up north don't do it as in they don't REMOVE the thermostat. I then went on to explain that the heater won't work properly in those conditions without one.

Anyway, I am a little confused CapnHook, you start this thread by asking the question how crucial a thermostat is, then in post 7 you answer and say that it is "definitely a necessity". I'm not trying to be rude but I'm confused why you asked in the first place??? Maybe I misunderstood something, it happens to me quite often.

Also, I stand by my original statement. When I first read this question I took it to ask how crucial is a thermostat in South/Central Texas. I will answer it again the same way, I don't feel that it is "crucial" to a decent running carburated 350 in our part of the world. I DO feel the same way as others that it is in the best interest to run a thermostat in a daily driver, BUT I have yet to hear of a truck around here having ANY damage by NOT having one. If someone has heard of a small block Chevy (in these climates) having troubles due to this I would love to hear about it for my own knowledge.

[elks]

Originally Posted by Critter

I think you are talking about my first post and I think you misread it. I said that people up north don't do it as in they don't REMOVE the thermostat. I then went on to explain that the heater won't work properly in those conditions without one.

Your right, now that I read it I realize what you were saying.