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Discussion Topic:
THERMOSTAT OR NO THERMOSTAT?
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FordFreak |
04-01-2026 @ 6:23 AM
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New Member
Posts: 129
Joined: Nov 2013
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I always ran 180's in my '37. Never ran hot.
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52flatv8 |
04-01-2026 @ 5:08 AM
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Member
Posts: 28
Joined: Feb 2025
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I too would use a 180 stat providing your radiator and water pumps are in good working order.
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JayChicago |
03-31-2026 @ 9:19 AM
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Senior
Posts: 572
Joined: Jan 2016
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I don't think you need to worry about going uphill in flat Florida. Your worry is long duration driving in very hot weather. Once the engine starts to get a little hot, every thermostat will be wide open, providing full flow of whatever the system is able to push through. Probably little or no difference than running with no thermostat. You could experiment, see if there is any difference with no stat on hot days. To burn off contaminants, you don't want the engine running cool. You want it to come up to temp quickly, and you don't want it running below operating temp on cool days/evenings. A 180 stat is best for that. The limitation of the cooling system on hot days is usually the heat-exchanger, how much heat is the radiator able to remove. Which thermostat, or no thermostat, won't help the radiator do its job.
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carcrazy |
03-31-2026 @ 12:05 AM
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Senior
Posts: 2037
Joined: Oct 2009
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If you install a 160 degree thermostat, you will have a little more of a cushion when the ambient air temperature is warm and you are going uphill and working the engine hard.
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MG |
03-30-2026 @ 11:41 PM
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Senior
Posts: 1308
Joined: Nov 2009
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Install a 180° thermostat to make your engine happy...Or, at least a 160° stat...
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ford38v8 |
03-30-2026 @ 7:02 PM
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Senior
Posts: 2900
Joined: Oct 2009
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If your goal is to help keep the cabin cooler, the thermostat removal will have no effect whatsoever. A thermostat helps in bringing the engine quickly to operating temperature, which in turn, prolongs the life of the engine. Removing a functioning thermostat will not benefit any car, and prove to be a major r disadvantage in colder climates.
Alan
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jadamoon386 |
03-30-2026 @ 6:30 PM
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Member
Posts: 10
Joined: Feb 2026
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I live in Florida and in addition to plugging the cabin heater core I was thinking about not installing a thermostat when I put the engine back into the car after the new clutch installation, comments?
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