Golden Jubilee
Posts: 866
Joined: Wed Sep 05, 2018 1:50 pm
Location: Northern New Mexico
IHC in the early to mid-fifties.
Golden Jubilee
Posts: 866
Joined: Wed Sep 05, 2018 1:50 pm
Location: Northern New Mexico
Freshly Restored
Posts: 211
Joined: Thu May 10, 2018 7:15 am
cornbinder89 wrote:A 'stat can provide a very necessary restriction in the flow. Without it, coolant can pass thru the radiator faster than it can transfer heat to the air. It also can raise the pressure in the block higher than the radiator cap pressure, eliminating hot spots, and cavitation damage caused by coolant boiling at the head or cyl walls. It is why Speedway and Summit sell restrictor plates for the 'stat housing when no 'stat is used. A Cummins Big Cam 4 will run 45 psi block pressure (at full governed speed) with a radiator cap pressure of 4 psi.
Low temp 'stats will NOT prevent overheating. the "stat only sets the minimum temp.
Vehicles with an oversize radiator that isn't well maintained can sometimes benefit from the increased flow when the stat is removed to "clear the tubes" but once they are clear and the system is flushed, then a 'stat should be installed.
A radiator only needs to drop the temp 10-15 degs F to keep the engine from overheating. If it can't do that, then either the system is clogged or the radiator is too small.
With a lower temp stat, all the coolant can be held at 160 where as a higher temp 'stat will keep the flow down and the coolant in the radiator will be cooler than it would be with the lower temp 'stat.
Either way, if the system can't handle the engine heat at full throttle, it isn't a question of "if it will overheat". but when.
The hotter the engine can run, the more efficient it will be.
My Truck has pulled steep grades where I have been running flat-out at 25 mph for 45min without a break, that is a test that most vehicles will never see.
Golden Jubilee
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Joined: Thu Nov 29, 2012 9:28 pm
Location: Lyman, IA
Golden Jubilee
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Location: Fletcher, OK
Golden Jubilee
Posts: 5208
Joined: Thu Nov 29, 2012 9:28 pm
Location: Lyman, IA
Freshly Restored
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Joined: Thu May 10, 2018 7:15 am
Golden Jubilee
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