Thermostat necessity and placement

mkcharlie

mkcharlie

Junior Member
Subject is 1940 Ford Coupe. Doesn't have thermostats, doesn't have thermostat holders attached to the engine as I have seen in some YouTube videos. Problem: Now that it is cold weather, the temperature gauge stays well below the middle even after driving for 20 minutes or so. I have seen where some have put thermostats inside the connecting hoses, some have drilled small bypass holes, some have used the holes to use light wire to secure the thermostat to the flange coming out of the engine and some using the flange at the radiator. Question: Is it true that my car would be better served to have thermostats? If so does it make a difference where in the connecting hose they are placed? Is it necessary to secure them with a "safety wire" type of connection? Or can an additional hose clamp secure it sufficiently? I have purchased 160º units which I've read or heard is the correct temperature.
Wise counsel is invited and appreciated. Thanks
 
Unless you have an engine that is in bad condition, thermostats are a very good idea; If the engine is in excellent shape, 180's are better than 160's. I'm an 8BA guy, so I don't know a lot about the earlier engines, but it seems using some method (as suggested) is a good idea, since the thermostats on the earlier engines seem to want to migrate.
 
The thermostats sit on top of the water outlet on the head. Original hoses were formed so they would hold the thermostat in place. Otherwise another hose clamp around where the thermostat sits will hold it in place. 180 deg stats are preferred. There should be a hole drilled in the thermostat to allow air to escape when filling. Some stats may have them
 
My opinions on this:

Definitely need thermostats. Engine running too cool fails to burn off contaminants that cause sludge in the oil.

While original spec was 160*, I think 180* is better for the engine. This won’t make summer running any hotter. Thermostat just sets the minimum operating temp. When engine is running hot, every thermostat will be at wide-open just the same.

I would keep the stats near the heads as designed, to be sure they are sensing coolant temp properly. My stats have never moved. But you might want to do the two-clamp trick to be safe.

I do drill a small hole in the flange of the stat to let any trapped air get by.
 
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I don't even attempt to drive my avatar 32 until the temp gets above 150. I have 170 stats and have four 4-40 stainless screws holding them to the top of the water outlets in the heads. This is a 59 series engine. Definitely need the stats, keeps the engine at an even temperature. With NO stats this engine will not get above 110 degrees.
All 5 of my flathead powered cars have thermostats.
 
I go with 180 degree thermostats, also.
To hold them in place, I put exhaust tubing inside the hose, clamp the outside.
Make sure the tube holds the thermostat tight to the top of the water outlet.

Karl
 
I drill small holes in the water necks and in the flange of the thermostat. I wire them down with.023 stainless wire then slide the hose on. Holds them in place.
 
all good advice i held mine in place by going to stainless pipes and clamping the pipes on top of the stats clamping the stat between the head and pipe. Ive seen others silver solder a ring of pipe to the stat and clamping it in place
 
Thanks to all who responded. Wow, what a difference they make. The gauge moves after only a minute or so and after 4-5 minutes is right in the middle where it should be. Doesn't move from there even after freeway driving. Much appreciated.
 
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