kpb
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Post by kpb on Oct 18, 2013 11:10:00 GMT -5
Just wondering who removes the thermostat on their car? I ran a early 90's grand prix and didn't remove it but I'm considering it to prevent it sticking for some reason and allowing my car to get hot.
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T-Brell
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Post by T-Brell on Oct 20, 2013 4:00:23 GMT -5
I usually bust the guts out and put it back in. That way the water flow isnt too fast.
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Post by chevykillerx13 on Oct 20, 2013 7:55:14 GMT -5
Yeah cut the thin steel tabs around the element, and pull it all apart. Can't remember if you have to cut the spring itself or not.. Been awhile.... I recall reading on either here or a drag racing forum something about cavitation if you run no thermostat at all cause the water flow is way too fast..
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kpb
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Post by kpb on Oct 21, 2013 10:38:48 GMT -5
Ok, because I think I have also read somewhere that water can flow too fast. I'll have to do what you guys said. Thanks!
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Post by O4xracing on Oct 25, 2013 7:14:23 GMT -5
If u really want to get technical use washers. Supposably you can buy washers that are made to fit with different hole sizes. I guess they are popular on drag cars. I still cant find them but you can make your own to restrict flow. Then go from there and experiment with what size works best for you...
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Post by O4xracing on Oct 25, 2013 7:26:31 GMT -5
Ok, because I think I have also read somewhere that water can flow too fast. I'll have to do what you guys said. Thanks! my experience of not running thermostats hasn't worked the best for me. Without a thermostat your coolant is aleays flowing without any restriction period and once it's hot it stays hot. You have to have something to restrict some flow so that the radiator and fan has some time to cool the coolant. This is really important to me cause I'm running fuel injected rwds and that are gutless once they overheat to much. Holding the brake and gas pedal to the floor just to keep your car running really sucks during a race!
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kpb
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Post by kpb on Oct 25, 2013 10:37:56 GMT -5
Ok, because I think I have also read somewhere that water can flow too fast. I'll have to do what you guys said. Thanks! my experience of not running thermostats hasn't worked the best for me. Without a thermostat your coolant is aleays flowing without any restriction period and once it's hot it stays hot. You have to have something to restrict some flow so that the radiator and fan has some time to cool the coolant. This is really important to me cause I'm running fuel injected rwds and that are gutless once they overheat to much. Holding the brake and gas pedal to the floor just to keep your car running really sucks during a race! So you just run a regular thermostat and don't mess with the guts of it like t-brell and chevykiller mentioned earlier?
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T-Brell
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Post by T-Brell on Oct 25, 2013 10:59:38 GMT -5
Well the l uminq I just ran that was fuel injected that had the guts ripped out got so hot the headers were glowing...then cooled back down and never stopped running...
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Post by O4xracing on Oct 25, 2013 13:22:04 GMT -5
Yeah. Actually I'm running a 160 thermostat and it seems ok. I'm pretty sure it's not the ideal choice but it does work
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Post by O4xracing on Oct 25, 2013 13:27:08 GMT -5
Yeah. Actually I'm running a 160 thermostat and it seems ok. I'm pretty sure it's not the ideal choice but it does work I think I actually be better running the stock thermostats. 160 is to low and stays open to much... But I'm also working with v8 fords though
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wreckit87
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Post by wreckit87 on Oct 25, 2013 20:52:46 GMT -5
I usually just cut a piece of sheetmetal the size of the thermostat and drill a 5/8"-3/4" hole in the center to restrict flow. I call it an orifice plate and it seems to work far better than just popping the guts out of a stat because it slows down the flow enough to leave it in the radiator for awhile so the fan can pull some heat out...
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kpb
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Post by kpb on Oct 27, 2013 12:01:38 GMT -5
Well the l uminq I just ran that was fuel injected that had the guts ripped out got so hot the headers were glowing...then cooled back down and never stopped running... Was that the one where the throttle got stuck?
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T-Brell
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Post by T-Brell on Oct 27, 2013 15:46:29 GMT -5
Yeah. Snapped the axle shaft and I think the boot grabbed the cable and yanked it. It was stuck between quarter and half open, but couldn't get it to accelerate any faster, either.
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Post by STROMI 121 on Oct 30, 2013 18:46:33 GMT -5
You do not need a thermostat, washer, or any restriction on any derby car. Period. If you dont believe me experiment for yourself and base your decision on facts not myths. You do need a good fan wheather electric or mechanical and a good shroud. The water does not cool the engine, it just transfers the heat to the radiator. The air moving through the radiator is what removes the heat. Thermostats are for heating the motor under cold conditions. I have never experienced a cold condition on a derby car. If your car runs hot you need to address your radiator and fan. Just to not start an arguement I will say that this is just my opinion based on my personal experience.
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T-Brell
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Post by T-Brell on Oct 30, 2013 19:47:28 GMT -5
I get what you're saying. I've ran both ways. No problem with it wide open(It only ran for 4 minutes, though). But It kind of made sense to slow the flow down so the water stays in the radiator longer to give more time to pull the heat out before it cycled back into the motor.
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