i replaced my radiator and bought a 160* thermostat. after i was done installing everything i got to thinking. why not just remove the thermostat completly and keep your engine running cool at all times, not just when it hits 160*.could there be any downside if i were to do this?

 

Yes, the SBF engine was designed to efficiently burn gas at about 190F and the oil stays at a more viscous state at lower temps. Also the thermostat controls the rate of flow through the system. If you're having cooling problems, a lower temp or no thermostat isn't the solution.

 

If you take out the thermostat the car will more than likely run hotter. You wont give the coolent any time to cool in the radiator. Once the coolent gets hot it won't cool down.

 

You need to run a thermostat for the reasons the guys mentioned above. You can either run a 160 or a 180, you will need to determine which one is going to work for you. I am running a 160.


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+3 I am running a 180 and my 65 runs cool as a cucumber here in hot Texas with the air con on.

 

alright, i guess it will stay in there then [8D]. im not having cooling problems anymore. i bought a 3 row as opposed to the 2 row that was in there before. and i put in a radiator filter too so i dont have the same problem with this one as i did with the last one.

the filter i got is like this one

 

I agree. These engines are designed to run otimally at a given temperature. If you run the engine at a lower temperature, it will not run as efficiently. If your engine is overheating, there is a reason; and you should fix the problem. Removing the termostat will only cause a new problem and not fix the one that is causing the overheating. I had to replace my radiator, adjust my timing properly, replace my thermostat, and add a fan shroud before I was able to keep mine from overheating. In the end, I think the timing was way too advance and detonation was causing the overheating. I am currently using a 180 degree thermostat.

Larry.

 

Dammit............... lost post..[:@][:@]... once more... no,, three times,,

No thermostat will cause your engine to run too hot and too cold depending on the weather conditions.

How could this be? When the weather is hot, the coolant passes through the radiator too quickly for efficient cooling, when the weather is cold, the engine will run too cold, the implication of this is that the engine will run too cold to burn the gasoline efficiently, this unburned fuel will wash the oil off of the cylinders and rings and cause premature engine wear. In this regard, 160 is too cold as well>

 

I am not sure why they make a 160deg thermostat. Every application I have heard of requires no less than 180deg, but may require up to a 200deg. I know some of the EFI engines require 198 or 200deg thermostats to run correctly. Remember cooler thermostats are not aways better thermostats! I would be scared to run a 160deg for the reasons mentioned about. Even in the hottest conditions, a cooling system that works correctly should run cool with a 180deg. My Mustang will not, but I have problems in the radiator I think. My Bronco would not, so I replaced the fan clutch and put a good 180deg thermostat in it and now cool as a cucumber.

Can someone tell me why you would run a 160?

 

The short answer is that I'm running a 160* thermostat because the dynotuner said it would work better for my application. With the higher thermostat, a Ford Racing crate motor, MSD ignition at 12* BTDC and a four row radiator with shroud and flex fan, the engine was running at the high side of the gauge. High temps were confirmed with a mechanical gauge as well as an infrared gun at various places on the engine. After changing it out to the 160* thermostat, the gauge reads right in the middle and the mechanical tests also confirm a better operating temperature. The car flat out works great with this thermostat.

If you look in the original Ford factory service manual you'll see that there are two different thermostats spec'd, one the median temperatures of each being about 160* and about 180* for the low and high spec thermostat, respectively.

So, this is not a one-size fits all, buy the 180* thermostat and be done with it. You really should verify your results and adjust them accordingly. Jspagna1's is the first post I'venoticed since reading this board that actually listed that there are two different parts and that you should determine which one you need.