Installing Bob Shewmans thermostats

[Seth Swoboda]

I know this sounds like it's becoming an advertisement for Skip and off topic but so far I am impressed with his coil rebuilding. In my opinion there is not another option for flathead coils.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by dave collette

Hi, I have installed these thermosats In my in my 1946 and in my 1948, They both run great with them. I highly recommend them and have driven on plus 90 degee days.

Dave, What temperatures did you witness before and after you'd installed these? What thermostats did you have in there prior to these?

[Old Henry]

Originally Posted by dave collette

Hi, I have installed these thermosats In my in my 1946 and in my 1948, They both run great with them. I highly recommend them and have driven on plus 90 degee days.

How about a 9° day? How do they work then? (One answer here: http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=121447 Posts #1 and #25)

[Old Henry]

Originally Posted by quickchange34

With any thermostat you install always drill a 1/8 inch hole in the middle of the outer ring. It allows a little water through and prevents air lock.

Originally Posted by glennsanders

Just asking,why are they not made with a hole

The current stock replacement thermostats do have a vent hole with a "jiggle pin" in them to shut them off after the cooling system is filled and the engine is running.

Vent open for filling:



Vent closed when water pumping:



The Stant thermostats that I use and recommend have a notch in the valve plate that lets the air through when filling. It is visible in this photo of the Stant on the right. Left is the current stock replacement stat just showing the comparison of the openings in each for water to flow through - the Stant obviously bigger.

[G.M.]

Those Stant stats restrict the flow of coolant. G.M.

[Bassman/NZ]

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I have the Stants and they work great. I cannot make my flattie go past 190, mostly sits on 180.

[Capt Kirk]

What works great for one might not work at all for the other.

[Phil Gillespie]

Just purchased a set of Bob Shewman 180 degree thermostats for my rebuilt 39 81A engine. Presently engine is running too cool. Radiator has been cleaned and block given a good clean so hoping to raise run temps up around 175 to 180.
Pleased i found this post as i was wondering where to locate them. But see to locate at top of hose at inlet to radiator.
Thanks as always for good suppied info.
Phil NZ