Re Gapping Plugs

[f-wolf]

Re " So all the lower temp thermo does is engage the fans earlier.. "

It is the Computer via the Temp Sensor Unit that switches the Radiator Fan on and off !!

Not the Thermostat !!

[senna_T]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the thermostat allows more coolant to flow through the block, when it gets to a certain temperature the thermo "cracks" and lets the coolant flow through it easier when this happens, it keeps the temperature down so the fans aren't running all the time

[f-wolf]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the thermostat allows more coolant to flow through the block, when it gets to a certain temperature the thermo "cracks" and lets the coolant flow through it easier when this happens, it keeps the temperature down so the fans aren't running all the time

The fans are controlled either with a thermostatic switch or by the engine computer, and they turn on when the temperature of the coolant goes above a set point. They turn back off when the temperature drops below that point.

Here is a very good link about a cars cooling system.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/cooling-system8.htm

[XR_Brute]

When refilling cooling system you should bleed the air out off the system aswell. To do this you remove the hose that goes to the top thermostat housing untill a steady stream of coolant comes out of it (the housing that is) then put the hose back on. Fill header tank to correct level then put cap back on. Its a pretty easy job. Hope that's helpfull

Dont know where you got that info from but its totally unnessesary, the header tank is the highest point in the cooling system for a reason, when bleeding the coolant system, all the needs to be done is fill it, leave the cap off and hold the revs at 2-3000rpm for around ten minutes, the reset the level and chuck the cap on....all the air will be purged

Edited 21/09/07 07:54 AM by XR_Brute

[Sly_Bastard]

I agree with the senna_T in relation to what the thermostat does in a way but I think it is for different reason. A thermostat is not a necessary part of a car especially in australia.

Its purpose initally was to restrict flow of water between the block and radiator. It was for start-up in cold weather. It restricts water going to the radiator to allow your engineto get to operating temp faster. It was for cold countries, Australia not initally being one of them you would guess. Nowadays Id say it is to enable to provide consistency and to enable engines to warm up faster, so you dont have to use a lot of choke.

that's what I think anyway, but if you disagree you cann always call my bluff!!!

[f-wolf]

I agree with the senna_T in relation to what the thermostat does in a way but I think it is for different reason. A thermostat is not a necessary part of a car especially in australia.

Its purpose initally was to restrict flow of water between the block and radiator. It was for start-up in cold weather. It restricts water going to the radiator to allow your engineto get to operating temp faster. It was for cold countries, Australia not initally being one of them you would guess. Nowadays Id say it is to enable to provide consistency and to enable engines to warm up faster, so you dont have to use a lot of choke.

that's what I think anyway, but if you disagree you cann always call my bluff!!!

Happy reading !

http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&...earch&meta=

[f-wolf]

I agree with the senna_T in relation to what the thermostat does in a way but I think it is for different reason. A thermostat is not a necessary part of a car especially in australia.

Its purpose initally was to restrict flow of water between the block and radiator. It was for start-up in cold weather. It restricts water going to the radiator to allow your engineto get to operating temp faster. It was for cold countries, Australia not initally being one of them you would guess. Nowadays Id say it is to enable to provide consistency and to enable engines to warm up faster, so you dont have to use a lot of choke.

that's what I think anyway, but if you disagree you cann always call my bluff!!!

Happy reading !

http://www.mre-books.com/smallblockfrd/smallblockfrd5.html

http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&...earch&meta=

Edited 22/09/07 07:54 AM by f-wolf

[Sly_Bastard]

Happy reading !

http://www.mre-books.com/smallblockfrd/smallblockfrd5.html

http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&...earch&meta=

I read the links and I would have to say DO NOT BUY THAT BOOK!!!! They have no clue apparently (well that's what I think), they got the idea but they have no clue. They don't even know how it works and why it improves engine life and how different themostats affect cars differently. A thermostat is not an essential part of a car and cars can run without them but they are useful!!!!

Firstly, I said the initial use of a thermostat was for cold starts, which is not all they are used for nowadays

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/question248.htm

"Any liquid-cooled car engine has a small device called the thermostat that sits between the engine and the radiator. The thermostat in most cars is about 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter. Its job is to block the flow of coolant to the radiator until the engine has warmed up. When the engine is cold, no coolant flows through the engine. Once the engine reaches its operating temperature (generally about 200 degrees F, 95 degrees C), the thermostat opens. By letting the engine warm up as quickly as possible, the thermostat reduces engine wear, deposits and emissions."

This shows how my idea of why they were brought about is correct!!!

This link shows how the application is different nowadays and how they now run compared to old cars

http://news.carjunky.com/how_stuff_works/t...ar_abc166.shtml

This link explains how they work!!!

http://www.theonlinemechanic.com/2007/03/1...ermostat-works/

It states "The thermostat controls the flow of the liquid by opening and closing depending on the temperature of the liquid running through it. The thermostat creates a temporary blockage in the hoses that carry the liquid. Doing this causes the liquid to rise in temperature so that the engine will run more efficiently (an engine runs most efficiently at about 200 degrees Fahrenheit) and your heater will be warm enough to heat your car."

So technically the link you provided states "Perhaps it might in northern Canada, but not in Missouri in the middle of the summer. When you remove the thermostat, the coolant never has a chance to stay in the radiator long enough to get rid of its heat. As coolant rushes through the engine and radiator, it just gets hotter and hotter, causing your engine to overheat." This would not be a thermostat problem but it would be a cooling system problem that they would be running too large piping and too large a pump causing the water to be circulated too quickly.

Sorry about the long post but just had to get my point accross

And technically this would mean that after your car would be warm, the thermostat would be fully open at all times to ensure the engine was properly cooled unless you were in cold weather, which we in Australia would not be worryed about too much!!

Too much work this is, Yoda I am. I just did more work then I do at work.

Edited 22/09/07 09:24 AM by Sly_Bastard

[senna_T]

The thermostat regulates the engine temperature via coolant flow, the temp sensor runs the fans yes, but if the thermostat stays open longer and keeps the temp down, the fans don't have to come on - see what we are getting at?

[Sly_Bastard]

The thermostat regulates the engine temperature via coolant flow, the temp sensor runs the fans yes, but if the thermostat stays open longer and keeps the temp down, the fans don't have to come on - see what we are getting at?

Who you askin this of????

But yes I do get the idea of why technically it would be benificial to have a low level thermostat. But I was just putting my 2c in as there seemed to be a misconception on as to what a theremostat did. Also my big post was just disputing what the link stated as I though some of the underlying ideas were incorrect.

Im sorry if this question was not directed at me

Edited 22/09/07 09:42 AM by Sly_Bastard