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Discussion Topic:
Keeping a Flathead Cool
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a duece bruce |
04-02-2020 @ 12:02 AM
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Member
Posts: 5
Joined: Mar 2020
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I can tell you what I did more then 10 yrs ago when I built my flathead up. High flow pumps, expensive, 4 row walker radiator, it got hot on my hill. I wasted a lot of antifreeze and water wetter trying things. Tried stock thermostats in the hoses. It got hot. I added a puke tank. I tacked washers to two 5"pcs of pipe that I cut into the upper hoses. It got hot. so I bought 2 modern high flow, big block 185' thermostats at napa, trimmed them and tacked them to the pc of pipe. At first I put them on the bottom, close to the heads, It got hot. So remembering that stock thermostats go in the upper part of the hose, away from pump wash (21 stud, pump in the head) I tacked them to the top of the pipes. That was 10 years ago, it works perfect, warms up quick,(I put a heater in it to blow up grandma's skirt so she'll go with me, you need a thermostat for a heater to work) Dosen't get over the 190' on a hot day. I have rarely added water to it. I better change it. The 50/50 antifreeze and redline water wetter must be shot. But it was the answer to my hot engine. That Napa thermostat # 191. Each one keeps a 427 or some big engine controlled, 2 of them works perfect for a flathead. That pc of pipe could be much shorter if you didn't like it. I think it would work on a later flathead also. Happy Motoring!
This message was edited by a duece bruce on 4-2-20 @ 6:41 PM
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kubes40 |
03-27-2020 @ 11:51 AM
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Senior
Posts: 3370
Joined: Oct 2009
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Steve Lee, All of our modern cars are designed to run right around 200°. One of them is designed to run at around 210°.
Mike "Kube" Kubarth
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TomO |
03-26-2020 @ 7:34 PM
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Senior
Posts: 7243
Joined: Oct 2009
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The wshers are not thermostats. They were installed to slow the water flow in the cooling system. Using them has been proven garbage science many times.
Tom
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1931 Flamingo |
03-26-2020 @ 3:17 PM
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Posts: 381
Joined: Nov 2019
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Newer cars run a LOT hotter than that..................... Paul in CT
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sarahcecelia |
03-26-2020 @ 11:36 AM
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Senior
Posts: 1171
Joined: Mar 2013
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170 degrees is a little on the cool side;At 180 degrees the motor runs more efficiently. That's the temperature where every (4) cycle automotive engine is supposed to run.
Regards, Steve Lee
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sarahcecelia |
03-26-2020 @ 11:30 AM
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Senior
Posts: 1171
Joined: Mar 2013
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The washers ARE THE THERMOSTATS!!!!
Regards, Steve Lee
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mfirth |
03-24-2020 @ 9:55 AM
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Posts: 205
Joined: Nov 2017
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Well, i know a guy with a 38 who runs NO FAN & it never overheats. I have taken the 160 Stants out on my 52 Vic & replaced them with Stant 180s. Drilled a 1/16 hole in them and that engine runs @ 180 & 185 on hot days. It ran 190 + with the 160 stats. mike
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1931 Flamingo |
03-24-2020 @ 9:10 AM
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Member
Posts: 381
Joined: Nov 2019
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48 block in a 40 coupe,NO t/stats, Kogel hi-comp heads with larger cooling capacity, engine and radiator clean, new pumps, when warm, gauge in the middle, with temp gun runs about 170, drops 30* from top of radiator to the bottom. Highway speeds maybe a little hotter. Paul in CT
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kubes40 |
03-24-2020 @ 8:10 AM
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Senior
Posts: 3370
Joined: Oct 2009
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Trjford, I agree that many, but not "everyone" have had improved results with the higher than stock flow pumps. Personally, I have never seen a difference. And yes, that's "clinically" checked with a laser probe. I strongly believe I see no difference as I am not attempting to bandage over an existing issue. All of my restorations include PROPERLY rebuilt engines, radiators, carbs, etc.
Mike "Kube" Kubarth
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trjford8 |
03-24-2020 @ 7:50 AM
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Senior
Posts: 4202
Joined: Oct 2009
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All the new water pumps have better impellers that move more water. Everyone that has used them indicate that their car runs cooler. This discussion has been debated numerous times, but it all comes back to a clean cooling system and moving more water.
This message was edited by trjford8 on 3-24-20 @ 7:50 AM
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