Running without thermostat

[tigernut]

I have a 1966 vert with the 327/350 motor.

I'm in the process of bagging the original motor and installing a stroker.

I plan to install the original aluminum manifold and valve covers.

When I disassembled the motor, I found the manifold missing the thermostat. I also found that the small recessed ledge the thermostat rests on was eroded away. I guess I could have it repaired, but am leaning to leaving the thermostat out in the new motor.

Other than warm up time in the winter, are there any negatives to running without a thermostat? I live in Texas so cold isn't usually a problem.

Thanks.
Doug

[ßill]

Way back when, I had a 327/350 that I ran with out a thermostat for a wile. The only problem I had was if there were any anti freeze in the system the coolant would foam up and cause overheating. With plain water the car ran fine. For a long period of time I would worry about corrosion, especially with the aluminum parts.

[Viet Nam Vett]

Originally Posted by tigernut

I have a 1966 vert with the 327/350 motor.

I'm in the process of bagging the original motor and installing a stroker.

I plan to install the original aluminum manifold and valve covers.

When I disassembled the motor, I found the manifold missing the thermostat. I also found that the small recessed ledge the thermostat rests on was eroded away. I guess I could have it repaired, but am leaning to leaving the thermostat out in the new motor.

Other than warm up time in the winter, are there any negatives to running without a thermostat? I live in Texas so cold isn't usually a problem.

Thanks.
Doug

The Thero is a very important part of the cooling system. One of it's jobs is to bring the motor to operating temp as quick as possible. This prevents condensation from building up in the crankcase. Water in the oil not a good thing.

Also..it aids in heating up the intake manifold which helps prevent iceing in the passage below the carb. This is why also you have a heat riser..part of the exchaust gas is directed toward and thru the base of the carb mounting area on the intake manifold.

Some Hi Performance after market manifolds do not haver this passage.

I would suggest you use the thero to protect your motor.

I'm sure our other forum members here can add some more detail for you.

Genteman...Please..

[Ken]

Originally Posted by Viet Nam Vett

The Thermo is a very important part of the cooling system.

I concur.

[JohnZ]

The thermostat is a calibrated flow orifice, and modulates coolant flow in the system to maintain a given minimum operating temperature (which assumes that your cooling system has the capacity to do that); it's an essential part of the cooling system. I would NOT recommend leaving it out. The eroded ledge can be repaired as good as new by Jerry MacNeish ( www.z28camaro.com) - check out his site and you'll see examples of his work.

[tigernut]

As usual, thank you all for the information.

Sounds like I need to fix the ledge and run a thermostat.

Doug