View Single Post
Old 04-13-2026, 04:15 PM   #7
ford38v8
Senior Member
 
ford38v8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 7,639
Default Re: overheating.. looking for suggestions

Quote:
Originally Posted by rockfla View Post
You know what they say about "opinions"


ME, in my opinion, running NO thermostats is never a good idea.....They are installed (originally) for a reason, no matter the climate. AGAIN...JMO coolant has to flow at a certain "rate" to slow or in this "possible" case to fast and things don't cool like its supposed to, the engine never gets to proper operating temperature....Nothing good happens ALL around!!!
Speaking of opinions, I have a couple about your advice. Yes, there is a good reason for thermostats, and only one reason for no thermostats: On a race car, the restriction costs horsepower.

Coolant moving too slow, again, I agree. Once an engine reaches operating temperature, open up those thermostats.

Too fast? I do not agree. That is an old disproven theory that attempts to explain another racing trick to save horsepower: Remove every other vane in a water pump. An exception to the too fast theory is when it causes cavitation.

Finally, about a flathead never getting up to operating temperature. Really? That doesn't happen except on a very cold day, or while descending from a mountain. the harm that will do is extend the warming-up period longer than it need be, which isn't good for any engine.
__________________
Alan
ford38v8 is offline   Reply With Quote