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EFV-8 Club Forum / General Ford Discussion / Thermostats?

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Posted By Discussion Topic: Thermostats? -- page: 1 2     Zero 04-09-2019 @ 6:48 AM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 60 Joined: Jul 2018 Gentlemen I need some advice. I'm about to change the upper radiator hoses on my 37 stock engine. I don't believe the car has thermostats in it and I'm wondering if they are necessary. I bought the car last year and didn't get it running until early fall. Had it out a few times this year and the car's temp usually runs between 160 & 180 but again not in summer weather. (Chicagoland area) I'm new to flathead engine but enjoying what the experience has been thus far. I see someone in the V8 times sells a pair that fits into the upper radiator outlets. Should I go with thermostats or not? Are they necessary? Kens 36 04-09-2019 @ 7:12 AM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 347 Joined: Oct 2009 Zero, Thermostats are a good thing. They help bring the engine up to normal operating temperature quicker, thus assisting in avoiding sludge in the engine. They are particularly important if you frequently drive for short periods of time. Ken Zero 04-09-2019 @ 8:51 AM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 60 Joined: Jul 2018 Ken, Thanks for the reply. Is the location of the stat critical? I read where some have it on the head while others have at the top of the radiator? John kubes40 04-09-2019 @ 9:45 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 3406 Joined: Oct 2009 John, If your water pumps are fastened to the front of each cylinder head, then the stats go in the upper hoses. If your pumps are bolted directly to the block, the stats go in the cylinder head(s) at the top of the water outlet. The stats for this application are slightly larger in outer diameter than the hose's inner diameter. That interference fit is what keeps the stat in place. Are they necessary? You'll likely get many different opinions on this subject. I tend to run them (160°) but have had the occasional engine that ran much too hot with them installed. My advice is: If your engine runs well and stays within good operating temperatures, don't change a thing. Sludge? In my humble opinion, this is more of a non-issue than something to be concerned with. Keep the oil clean - change at least once per season. Today's oils and fuels run MUCH cleaner than those of the past. If you do that, the amount of sludge that may build up will not have any adverse effect I our lifetime. Are you a member of the Northern Illinois Regional Group? If not, I might suggest you join. Good bunch of guys and a wealth of experience. TomO (he posts on here occasionally) is especially sharp when it comes to these old Fords. In fact, I'd like to know what he thinks in regard to your query. Tom, you out there? What say you? Mike "Kube" Kubarth This message was edited by kubes40 on 4-9-19 @ 11:44 AM TomO 04-10-2019 @ 10:34 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 7256 Joined: Oct 2009 Mike, thanks for the kind words about me and the NIRG. I would like to add my invitation to join the NIRG to yours. We are an active group that enjoys touring with our old Fords. Here is a link to the NIRG website. http://www.nirgv8.org/ Kens 36 is correct in his post. Thermostats are a good thing. IMHO thermostats are not mandatory in a car that is only driven in the summer. As far as sludge is concerned, driving the car for at least 30 minute trip every day that you drive it in the warm months, will keep the sludge to a minimum. Short trips that do not not allow the oil to get up to operating temperature are the major causes of sludge. Just because the coolant temperature is in the operating range does not mean that the oil has reached the operating temperature. If you drive in the cold months, thermostats are necessary to get the engine up to operating temperatures quickly. The engine runs more efficiently at normal (160-180 degrees) operating temperatures. The oil will take longer than 30 minutes of driving to get to operating temperatures in the cold months. Tom Zero 04-11-2019 @ 10:16 AM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 60 Joined: Jul 2018 Mike thanks for your reply. I always try to drive the car for a half hour or more to make sure it's up to operating temp. In the winter, if the roads are clear, I'll get a good heavy coat and gloves get it out on the road. Thanks again. John Zero 04-11-2019 @ 10:29 AM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 60 Joined: Jul 2018 Tom, Thanks for your input on the thermostats. Would you recommend the 160 degree or 180 degree stat and also a provider for them. Last winter was my first with the car but had it out a number of times. As long as the roads are clear I hope to be driving. I will take you up on your invite to one of your meetings in Palatine. I'm in Oak Lawn southwest of Chicago. Currently the car, 37 Model 78 2 door slantback, is up on stands. My brother-in-law and I are converting the brakes to the 37 Lincoln style hydraulic brakes. Running into issues with removing rear drums (I hear not unusual) and replacing the pedal assembly. Again, thank you for your input and suggestions. John TomO 04-11-2019 @ 5:04 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 7256 Joined: Oct 2009 John, it has been so long since I bought thermostats that I cannot recommend any supplier.Last time I bought them it was from NAPA. 160 or 180 is your choice, the thermostat just set the low temperature of the engine. Just make sure that they do not supply you with the 1949-1953 thermostat as they are too small and may travel up the hose. The correct thermostat is the same diameter as the head outlet outside diameter. The meetings are in Arlington Heights about 2 miles east of Rt 53, so I355 might be your best route. Tom len47merc 04-12-2019 @ 8:25 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 1165 Joined: Oct 2013 Zero - 160s are fine and are endorsed by kubes40 so you cannot go wrong. From my experience the colder the climate you are in the less likely you will be satisfied with 160s during wintertime driving and 180s (or the original Buck Rogers style 177s) will produce the level of heat you will be comfortable with. Lot's of past dialogue on this subject and worth the search effort. I recall TomO referring to the design operating temperatures for these engines are in the 180 degree range and if you drive the car enough in the winter you may likely not reach that temp with 160s installed. Frequent operation without reaching design operating temperatures may lead to what you are trying to avoid. For both these reasons and for general peace-of-mind I ultimately ran original 177s year-round and never looked back. After 10,000 miles never saw any build-up of sludge in the oil pan (using quality, name brand 10W-30 detergent oil). Was it the thermostat rating or the detergent oil that netted that result? Don't know, don't care, didn't think about it - just drove and didn't worry about it. Steve Zero 04-13-2019 @ 7:18 AM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 60 Joined: Jul 2018 Steve thanks for your input. I'm not really familiar with the 177 thermostats. You mentioned you put them in 10 years ago so are they currently available? John

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