[DeTomaso] The Water Restrictor Plate Below the Thermostat

[Mike Drew]

Larry,

Panteras came with standard thermostats. Standard thermostats are not ‘high flow’. Those weren’t even invented back then, I don’t think. 

I have removed original thermostats from original Pantera engines. I used to have one as a visual aid but I must have thrown it out, as I can’t find it now. It was seriously crusty but still worked. Standard style, Ford markings, 19x degrees (192 or 195, I still can’t remember).

I’m with you—I would buy the Tim Meyer version over the cheap ones, although it’s just for superstitious reasons. I can’t say I have ever heard of a quantifiable improvement that resulted from using one over the other. 

John Christian once explained to me the argument against blocking off the bypass passage (either with a water pump that lacks the port, or a blockoff plate).  Thermal shock, cavitation, steam pockets etc were some of the reasons he gave. 

He helped invent the 351C so I’ll take him at his word!  Note that I don’t claim any specific expertise. I just know and trust some really smart people. :)

Mike

Sent from my iPad

> On Dec 2, 2018, at 19:32, Larry Finch via DeTomaso <detomaso at server.detomasolist.com> wrote:
> 
> All,
> 
> A stock Pantera 351C cooling system has five (six with pulley) specific design components in the engine. 
> 
> Water pump WITH bypass passage
> Water pump impeller WITHOUT backing plate
> 
> Restrictor plate in block
> 
> High-flow thermostat*
> Thermostat with “hat”
> 
> * I have heard/read multiple times, and have personally come to believe, that the Cleveland OEM thermostat was the high-flow version with the hat.
> 
> Tim Meyer (he is the vendor who took over the Todd Buttermore Cleveland project and is now providing aluminum and iron blocks) has retooled the original high flow Cleveland thermostat($32), as Thomas and Chuck have previously mentioned. He also has a proper restrictor plate ($20) ($49-the set) for the block. 160-180-195 versions. 
> 
> Personally I have no problem spending $32 to purchase an OEM-correct high-flow thermostat from a vendor who has stepped forward and made them readily available. 
> 
> I don’t believe the money saved with a NAPA standard-flow thermostat justifies the restriction to coolant flow that must surely come with that non-OEM style. 
> 
> Now in practice, we all know there are many approaches to cooling that will provide acceptable performance. 
> 
> Example:
> 
> 2511 when purchased had the pinhole restrictor plate, a Windsor standard flow thermostat, and the Weiand water pump which does not have the bypass passage. That engine did not run hot, did not boil over; performed just fine year after year. It actually had zero out of the five design components mentioned above.  :-o  ;-)
> 
> Maybe the Weiand water pump impeller that has a backing plate increased water flow enough that the standard flow thermostat restriction was neutralized?
> 
> Whatever, it worked. 
> 
> Perhaps logic, and respect for the original Ford-engineered system, would seem to suggest the standard .... starting.... point for any 351C cooling system should incorporate all five of the above design components.
> 
> Then, if you have cooling issues you know that you have at least started with the correct OEM design.
> 
> Larry 
> 
> Impeller backing plate 
> Undersized WP pulley
> Single-dual-pass radiator 
> 160-180-195 thermostats
> Brass-aluminum radiator 
> Upright or laydown 
> And..........and.....    :-)
> 
> 
> Sent from me using a magic, handheld electronic gizmo. 
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