[DeTomaso] To thermostat or not to thermostat

[JDeRyke at aol.com]

In a message dated 5/20/08 6:45:49 PM, jimgray at cableone.net writes:

> My engine builder recommends not running a thermostat but instead just 
> knocking out the center section so as to leave a 25 cent size hole to slow down 
> the water flow.
> 
> My question is, since we always make a big deal about using the correct 
> Cleveland style thermostat, what happens when there is no "hat" on a thermostat 
> to close off the warm-up passages?  Does the water just go around and around 
> in the engine?
> 
> Doing as your mechanic says will ONLY work if your engine has an aftermarket 
water pump with no warm-up passage in the pump. Unique only to the 351C 
engine, the bypass passage needs to be blocked off either with the special open 
thermostat hat or with a setscew installed in the passage. if you do his mod to a 
351C WITH a warm-up passage, about 25% of the cooling water will never see the 
radiator and since the radiator is small-sized anyway, odds are you will 
overheat. You really need a mechanic familiar with the 351C engine, as thats not 
the only peculiarity it has. Good luck- J Deryke




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