Thermostat needed for fresh water cooled?

[MN86_4winns]

Do I need the thermostat in my 5.7l/Alpha 1 that is fresh water cooled? It runs much cooler, 100-120F, without the thermostat and 160-180F with the thermostat. Isn't cooler better???

 

[jedimaster]

Re: Thermostat needed for fresh water cooled?

From my understanding an engine runs better hotter. but if you go too hot you start to seize components. I used to run my drag car with a 140 degree thermostat.

 

[tommays]

Re: Thermostat needed for fresh water cooled?

No

warm is better BUT overheat is BAD


The block needs the T-stat to fill up compleaty and not have air pockets which can cause hot spots


Tommays

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Thermostat needed for fresh water cooled?

tommays is right on. In order for the cooling system to function correctly there must be a thermostat in the system.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Thermostat needed for fresh water cooled?

Yup!........​

 

[RCSConstruction]

Re: Thermostat needed for fresh water cooled?

Not to mention that the motor will last longer and run better at operating temp.

 

[hullofalottatrouble]

Re: Thermostat needed for fresh water cooled?

you want the temp just like goldilocks and the three bears

not too hot..

not too cold..

but just right..

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Thermostat needed for fresh water cooled?

The thermostat also controls the water flow...too fast and pockets of the engine will get too hot.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Thermostat needed for fresh water cooled?

Isn't cooler better???

Nope............

With the absence of Saltwater in Minnesota,....

Your motor will be More Effecient at 190/ 200*............
It'll Last the Longest at 180/ 190*............

 

[Coors]

Re: Thermostat needed for fresh water cooled?

As usual ,Bond-o is correct. Cast iron, aluminum, and sometimes a steel crank are in the engine. They need to get warm enough to get the expansion over with, and have the proper clearances working. That is why top fuel dragsters spend time behind the starting line; building hp up with the proper temperature.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Thermostat needed for fresh water cooled?

Disregarding considerations for polution, it has long been regarded that a constant 180 deg coolant temperature was ideal for thermal expansion/contraction of components as well as for the most effecient adiabatic combustion chamber temperature. Absent salt or high alkalinity water and an efi system that might be calibrated for different operating temperatures, a constant 180 deg thermostat will serve you best.

This all is the reason I run a 180 deg stat in my closed cooling system.

 

[Coors]

Re: Thermostat needed for fresh water cooled?

Boom, think you used the wrong word. Adiabatic means with no loss of heat, or no gain of heat.

 

[MN86_4winns]

Re: Thermostat needed for fresh water cooled?

Thanks, I'll be putting a 180 degree thermostat in.

 

[Don S]

Re: Thermostat needed for fresh water cooled?

Use a 160? thermostat like the manuals say. They will still run at 180?.
You don't want it to get too hot in the engine compartment, or you will have fuel problems. Merc, Volvo and all the other major marinizers use 160? stats.

 

[chaparral442]

Re: Thermostat needed for fresh water cooled?

use the 160 --- the guage may read 180 but guages are known to be off somewhat-

 

[Don S]

Re: Thermostat needed for fresh water cooled?

use the 160 --- the guage may read 180 but guages are known to be off somewhat-

Those gauges are seldom off 20?. But it is quite common for an engine to run at 180? with a 160? thermsotat, and they actually do run at 180? under load. That's why you don't want to use a 180? thermostat. Then the engine would run at 200? and you would end up with fuel vapor lock all the time.