High Volume Water Pumps / Electric fans.

[wilf]

Bore wear goes up hugely (like exponentially) if you run without a 'stat, although engines can make more power when cool.

For the kind of mileages we expect from our sunny-day toys, I am not utterly convinced that bore wear is ever going to be an issue.........is all I know about the subject.

[Dutch Paul]

Originally Posted by Martyn-ak427

Incidentally (& excuse the sales pitch & post hijack) but I have a 1.5M length 38mm O/D, 36mm I/D 316 polished stainless steel tube which I used for my cooling system & is surplus to requirement for sale.

Martyn - you have a pm.

[purge98]

Originally Posted by dodger

I'll try & blank off the gaps at the sides/top of radiator first & buy an infrared thermometerto see what the temp is at various areas of the cooling system.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?...15203&doy=15m7

[dave.n]

Regarding my running cool
I was told by Cheng who actually did the ali work aroung the rad and nose that running cool does actually make the engine run better especially when giving it some. Although running cool isn't so efficient for all engines.
I have not run a thermostat for four years now and have found no problems.
My bog standard water pump could do with changing as the bearing has a fraction of play (and I mean only a tiny bit). I strongly believe in not fixing what ain't broke and don't intend to alter anything until it gives up the ghost.
1200 miles so far and never over heated except for the one time mentioned.
All I can say is my set up seems to work for me and I count myself lucky.

[dingocooke]

Oh dear the old water temp rears its head again, a bit embarrassed to post this pic again as already done it about 6 times!!
Basically if youre running without a stat or with your kenlowe sensor set too low, I hope your saving up for a rebore.

[mike huddart]

Dear Steve, yes, its a problem isnt it. Getting people to listen to good advice ,that is. I have the same problem convincing people they dont need an oil cooler to go down to the pub! Regards Mike

[alfiebeard]

Originally Posted by dave.n

Regarding my running cool
I was told by Cheng who actually did the ali work aroung the rad and nose that running cool does actually make the engine run better especially when giving it some. Although running cool isn't so efficient for all engines.
I have not run a thermostat for four years now and have found no problems.
My bog standard water pump could do with changing as the bearing has a fraction of play (and I mean only a tiny bit). I strongly believe in not fixing what ain't broke and don't intend to alter anything until it gives up the ghost.
1200 miles so far and never over heated except for the one time mentioned.
All I can say is my set up seems to work for me and I count myself lucky.

My RV8 runs at around 85 degrees which is about right as the stat on an RV8 should open at 83 degrees,

I certainly would,nt want to flog a cold engine as you need to get the oil as well as the coolant up to a decent temperature for it to do its job correctly (thats why garages doing M.O.Ts get the oil temp up before doing the emmisions test especially on diesels.

Also the main reason for a stat is to get the engine upto running temperature as soon as possible, and keep it there,running without the stat and a cold engine would require a richer mixture which effectively washes the oil from the bores resulting in premature bore wear.

We were always told that an engine runs most efficiently at as close to boiling point as you can get without actually boiling, thats the reason for the pressure cap which allows the pressure to build up in the system, and as the boiling point of the coolant can be raised by pressurising you can get the engine up to a high running temp without the problems of boiling the coolant.

Another point worth mentioning is that any radiator hose longer than 16" should have internal reinforcement otherwise it could collapse with the vacuum created by the water pump.

Alfie B

[dingocooke]

Hi Mike,
I must say it does surprise me how many people run without a thermostat; quite bizarre really, spend a fortune building a nice V8, then wear it out prematurely for the sake of a £4 part; not to mention the extra fuel burnt trying to get the whole cooling system to temperature.
Oh well, guees it keeps the business rolling in for you!!

[dave.n]

Don't have an oil cooler either. Don't see any point in my case as I'm only pushing 320bhp.

Must admit I was gonna fit a stat' on 7- Indulgences advice.
Then again The car has been on the road since 1996 and whoever put the engine in the car didn't fit a stat.
Only found out it didn't have a stat' when I fitted a new Kenlowe sub-switch (6 month ago) and had to fish the old sub out.
So if the car has been running fine for over ten yrs then when it does go tits up I'll have to say sorry.
I totaly agree that running a stat' makes perfectly good sense, It's just that I ain't got one and it all seems to work ok even at sub-zero temperatures. The car is used all year round.

[dingocooke]

Dave,
Its not about ambient temp, its about maintaining a constant block temperature; imagine your block if the temp is not maintained at a constant temp by a stat; the temp will be fluctuating depending on driving conditions, meaning the bore will be constantly changing size and shape, and the power critical piston to bore clearance will vary quite dramatically.
When the block is too cool, the clearance will be too tight and piston and bore wear will increase rapidly.
If you use you cob all year round, the engine will warm up quicker on cold days with a stat fitted, and as a bonus your heater (if ftted) will warm up quicker and run at a more constant temp.
You should also notice a more consistant tickover.
It's a massive false economy not to fit a thermostat.