A week or so ago I bought a chrome thermostat housing for the stang. The thermostat that fit it was different than the stock. NAPA #269 I think, anyways, the thermostat fits the housing however, if I install it then it will fall through the hole in the block. Do I really need a thermostat? This is not a daily driver by the way.

 

you can easily run the engine without thermostat, but the downside is:

the car will take ages to come up to temperature.
and it might run a bit to hot or bit to cold. The temperature will be always a bit off.

I know a few people will disagree on the thermostat discussion.
So please get a thermostat that will fit. You will definetly prolong the life of the engine if you use one. this is without a doubt.

Kalli

 

These old engines perform best at 180-190 F. The thermostat has basically two jobs, one is to get the engine up to the best operating temperature quicker than without a thermostat, and it also serves to get warm water to your heater quicker. Running an engine without a thermostat won't harm your engine, but your engine will perform best with one in.

 

You can easily overheat an engine without a thermostat. Their other function is to regulate the speed of water through the system so it has time to soak the heat from the engine. BTW, since your thermostat reads the water temp,you're not likely to notice the overheating.

 

i have had bad luck with chrome thermo housing the past two have warped on me i went back to the factory cast iron

 

Yes, everything you read says to not run a modern engine without a thermostat.

 

gonna have to disagree on this one if u dont run a thermostat like said it can over heat since the theromstat acts kinda like a restrictor(the water can go thru the radiator so quickly it doesnt have time to cool down.
and for not getting hot enough the thermostat also makes sure the engine is as normal operating temps if your not it increses internal wear because the gaps on the moving parts dont expand taking up the slack

 

Hey, thanks guys. I figured I would have to come up with a way to use the thermostat. I have been trying to brainstorm some ideas. Oh, by the way, my temp. sending unit is not on the housing, it is on the intake manifold. I do however have a 3/8" threaded hole on the new chrome housing....guess that is where the temp. unit can go. Anyways, I am having trouble with finding a plug to fit it. I think the threads are my problem.

 

Mine came with a plug, but it is a cast iron one. Like has been said, quite often those chrome ones warp and tend to leak, If I were you, I would take that one back and get one that fits the thermostat and has the plug already in it.