First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List ......................................................................... Everyone has an opinion, I think we have beat this dead horse enough :)
Mark Lueker 308 SYSTEMS Inc. 970-282-7006 www.308systems.com -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]on Behalf Of Andy Sent: Monday, August 24, 2009 11:05 PM To: First Generation Firebird-L Subject: Re: [FGF] cooling question First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List ......................................................................... Over the years I've run both with and without a thermostat, and I believe you're better off with one. You're right that a thermostat simply sets a minimum temp, and was designed into the system to raise the engine temperature to a specific level as quickly as possible. It's true that the warmer the outside temperature, the less impact the thermostat will have, but including a thermostat, having a functional crossover, using a heat riser with an air cleaner, and having a functional thermostatic damper in the exhaust manifold will result in optimum street ability no matter where you live or when you drive (I run an open air cleaner, hi-flow 195-degree thermostat, and long-branch manifolds without the damper). I think that the biggest advantage to including a 195-degree thermostat is that it is the most effective way to drive off moisture and other contaminants from the oil. Given how seldom most people drive these cars, that's one of the engine's biggest threats. Running a 160- or 180-degree thermostat may temporarily mask an overheating problem, but doing so may be creating another problem in the process. Andy Mlueker wrote: >First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List >......................................................................... >Remember, a thermostat is simply a closed valve in the cooling system >designed to eliminate coolant flow until the core engine temperature reaches >a desired level. Then it opens and allows coolant flow throughout the >engine. Thus, a Tstat will do nothing to lower maximum engine operating >temperatures, all it does is ensure the engine runs at a minimum temperature >which is the Tstat temp. In fact, my view is that a Tstat on older cars is >unnecesary unless you live in a cold climate. > >To reduce maximum operating temperature, you need to look at multiple >variables - radiator size, radiator efficiency, radiator flow rate, coolant >heat transfer capacity, internal engine coolant restrictions, water pump >flow/capacity, airflow restrictions in front and behind the radiator, fan >speed, fan flow/efficiency, shroud design, etc > >Thanks, > >Mark Lueker >308 SYSTEMS Inc. >970-282-7006 >www.308systems.com > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Submissions to Firebird-L: <[email protected]> Unsubscribe from Firebird-L: <[email protected]> Help: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/firebird/Firebird-L.html> Classifieds: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/ubb/> Owner Pictures: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/show/> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Submissions to Firebird-L: <[email protected]> Unsubscribe from Firebird-L: <[email protected]> Help: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/firebird/Firebird-L.html> Classifieds: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/ubb/> Owner Pictures: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/show/>
