Running an SBC with no thermostat???

[Knighttime85]

I was reading the cooling issues thread and had a thought. It might not be a good one so I firgured I would ask you guys without Hijacking the other thread. What are the downsides to running an engine (in my case a 383 sbc) without the thermostat installed? Keep in mind, I live in Texas don't use my heater, and do very little street/highway driving with my CJ. My Jeep gets pretty hot on the trails so I wondered if just pulling the thermostat might option instead of an electric fan? I should also mention I have a new radiator with new cap, new anti freeze, new thermostat, my radiator is shrouded and the fan is direct drive (no clutch)

 

[Captainlance]

Removing the thermostat won't help, it well may make it worse. Try a larger core radiator, or 7 blade fan blade, or electric fan to assist.

I was reading the cooling issues thread and had a thought. It might not be a good one so I firgured I would ask you guys without Hijacking the other thread. What are the downsides to running an engine (in my case a 383 sbc) without the thermostat installed? Keep in mind, I live in Texas don't use my heater, and do very little street/highway driving with my CJ. My Jeep gets pretty hot on the trails so I wondered if just pulling the thermostat might option instead of an electric fan? I should also mention I have a new radiator with new cap, new anti freeze, new thermostat, my radiator is shrouded and the fan is direct drive (no clutch)

 

[mriplaybass]

If you run without a thermostat, the engine will not have even heat. There will be hot and cold spots inside the engine, and this is not efficient, or good for the moving parts. Even large outboard motors, which have an unlimited supply of cool water, have thermostats to facilitate even running temperatures.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Sludged up engine oil. Many others to list.
IF, you are running a brass OEM type radiator. Have a rod out done to it.
Do you run a shroud on the fan? You should.
You also want to look at venting the hood some.
LG

 

[Knighttime85]

Thanks guys

 

[Dan77CJ7]

Size radiator are you running? Have you rechecked your timing late ignition timing can cause heat issues. maybe considered a performance waterpump , but first if you havnt already, try popping the hood on the trail this might help with heat soak . if that help then go with LGs idea and vent the hood. But high cfm electric fan aint a bad idea for a stroker that sees lower rpms for long periods of time.good luck let us know when shes all fixed up.

 

[gert]

Sweet another Texas guy, no t stat and it will be hard to control temperature, your motor wears faster the further below 180 degrees you get


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[RiverandSand]

Moroso makes restrictor plates to replace the t-stat. If you really don't want to run a t-stat.

 

[Dan77CJ7]

Moroso makes restrictor plates to replace the t-stat. If you really don't want to run a t-stat.

Those restrictor plates are kinda a race only part and nothing more then a fancy washer... well for and giggles try drilling 4 3/16th holes on the tstat might increase flow lol sorry the beers talking..... they need a hiccup emo litttle fella face....

 

[Knighttime85]

Size radiator are you running? Have you rechecked your timing late ignition timing can cause heat issues. maybe considered a performance waterpump , but first if you havnt already, try popping the hood on the trail this might help with heat soak . if that help then go with LGs idea and vent the hood. But high cfm electric fan aint a bad idea for a stroker that sees lower rpms for long periods of time.good luck let us know when shes all fixed up.

My hood is vented already, do you think opening up the fenders some would help vent some hot air? I have a 16" pusher fan but I took it out when I upgraded radiators I guess I'll have to quit being lazy I reinstall it.

This the radiator I put in with the a fan shroud.
Aluminum Radiator Jeep SBC Conversion | Northern Auto Parts:

 

[Dan77CJ7]

My hood is vented already, do you think opening up the fenders some would help vent some hot air? I have a 16" pusher fan but I took it out when I upgraded radiators I guess I'll have to quit being lazy I reinstall it.

How hot are you running. I thought I was over heating turned out my temp gauge was off, used a temp gun to find that one out. But for sure if You got the electic fan install it.

 

[007]

Exhaust headers or manifolds?

 

[Knighttime85]

How hot are you running. I thought I was over heating turned out my temp gauge was off, used a temp gun to find that one out. But for sure if You got the electic fan install it.

I've seen it close to 220 before but that was hard wheeling.

 

[Knighttime85]

Exhaust headers or manifolds?

Ram Horn style manifolds

 

[Dan77CJ7]

I did a Google search On what a 383 thermostat should be came across a couple Camaro and Corvette Forum And most of the guys that are running 383 Are using a 160 or 180 thermostat There's a couple controversial Post But other than that Most of the top dogs on these sites run around a 160-180 Trying to cut and paste The Forum site but doesn't seem to be working. Anyway these guys are running around 195 205 With those thermostats So maybe it's worth the getting one of those mr. Gasket one eighties And giving it a shot

 

[Lumpy Grits]

I've seen it close to 220 before but that was hard wheeling.

220* is not 'overheating'.
Our late model AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l 's came with 195* t'stats and they are not all the way open till about 215*.
What temp t'stat are you run'n?
I still run a 195* and live in the Mojave.
What are you using for a engine temp. gauge?? Electric or mechanical?
LG

 

[Knighttime85]

220* is not 'overheating'.
Our late model AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l 's came with 195* t'stats and they are not all the way open till about 215*.
What temp t'stat are you run'n?
I still run a 195* and live in the Mojave.
What are you using for a engine temp. gauge?? Electric or mechanical?
LG

Right now it has a 180 degree t'stat, and a mechanical temp. gauge

 

[Knighttime85]

I did a Google search On what a 383 thermostat should be came across a couple Camaro and Corvette Forum And most of the guys that are running 383 Are using a 160 or 180 thermostat There's a couple controversial Post But other than that Most of the top dogs on these sites run around a 160-180 Trying to cut and paste The Forum site but doesn't seem to be working. Anyway these guys are running around 195 205 With those thermostats So maybe it's worth the getting one of those mr. Gasket one eighties And giving it a shot

I'll look into Dan thanks

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Please try the 'bleed-hole' idea on the t'stat. It works very well.
LG

 

[smbundy13]

I got nothing to add.. but, maybe the radiator is clogged a bit with dead bugs and what not and not being efficient? or the internals are clogged?