Thermostat vs No Thermostat

[hooD]

I have a 180 degree thermostat that runs around 192 degrees  according to my temp guage.  Is this too hot???  This is an aftermarket guage that is about 30 years old now, so i'm not too sure about the accuracy, although I believe the guage is working properly. 

What drawbacks would there be if i were to remove the thermostat and go statless?  This car is only driven during the summer months so no heat is needed.  Without a thermostat, what temperatures would i expect to see?  The car is driven as a cruiser.  Do they make a 160 degree thermostat....anyone? 

The radiator, water pump, thermo clutch fan, thermostat, and all hoses are newer.   

[EvilTwinATX]

I wouldn't go without a stat.. I would think you would actually run hotter. what kind of fan do you have .. is it a 5 blade or 7 blade?

[hooD]

I have a 7 blade fan....mounted on a thermo clutch which i just replaced 2 weeks ago....the factory one started to leak fluid and died.

[Chryco Psycho]

using no thermostat will cause the engine to run hotter , the normal temp is 180 - 220 range so 190 is normal , colder thermostats generally run hotter , due to the water not slowing down & spending enough time in the rad to properly cool , generally i use 180 or 190 t stas

[WVUFELLA]

Hey chryco cant you also drill a small hole in the t stat that will let it run cooler? I heard that from a guy.. he had a 440 that was running hotter than he liked so he drill  a small 1/8 hole in the t stat and he said it solved the problem. Does this hurt anything by doing it this way ??

[Chryco Psycho]

it doesn`t hurt anything , it also allows the air to bleed out when filling the system , , how it would run cooler I have no idea as once the engine is hot the stat should be open anyway

[EvilTwinATX]

If you are really concerned I would just make sure you have a GOOD QUALITY thermostat.. not a cheapie $5.00 one and mount a remote temp guage or something..

else you can use Water Wetter to aid in engine cooling..
http://www.redlineoil.com/products_coolant.asp?subCategoryID=4

[ted]

another urban legend that wont die. all it will do is cause a longer warm up time.

using no thermostat will cause the engine to run hotter , the normal temp is 180 - 220 range so 190 is normal , colder thermostats generally run hotter , due to the water not slowing down & spending enough time in the rad to properly cool , generally i use 180 or 190 t stas

[Chryco Psycho]

Maybe but I did it twice in my cars & they ran significantly hotter both times so maybe it just works here , this is personaly experience Not past on myth

[ksierens]

Do you have a shroud?  Without one you are not pulling the majority of the air through the radiator.

[EvilTwinATX]

Maybe but I did it twice in my cars & they ran significantly hotter both times so maybe it just works here , this is personaly experience Not past on myth

I had the same experience in my SUV... I had the head gaskets done and the mechanic left out the stat... Couldn't figure out why it still ran so hot and kept overheating even after I took it back to him. Well, months later I found out the dummy didnt put a stat in at all... replaced it and problem solved.

[hooD]

ksierens...........No, i do not have a shroud.  It came from the factory without one.  No A/C either.

[ksierens]

I would consider putting on one.  Without it, the fan can pull air from the sides, instead of through the radiator, so you defeat the purpose.  The reason they added the shrouds and clutch fans, mostly on air cars, was because they needed better cooling.  I also agree about adding a "water wetting" agent.

[Jacksboys]

Maybe but I did it twice in my cars & they ran significantly hotter both times so maybe it just works here , this is personaly experience Not past on myth

 

It will run hotter.

[360 'CUDA]

Take it from someone in Southern Arizona.  The 180 degree thermostat seems to be the best option.  Having no stat lets the water run too fast.

On the race cars I run an homemade plate with a hole in it to restrict water consistanly.  Works great with the moroso motor and a blade cut off the water pump