lncboytre_d

I have a fresh built 355 Lt1 with the fans set to turn on 180/195. I had originally put my same 160 stat in that I had before it went down and immidiately after I got the car off the jack stands it tried to run hot so I removed the thermostat. Since then I've driven 800 miles without it and my temp stays between 175-195 (highway/intown). Am I hurting my engine driving without it?

SS RRR

iTrader: (2)

Are you sure the t-stat you pulled was in good working order? I mean it's pretty easy to test whether or not it opens at its specified heat range...

shbox

Bad idea. The special, long LT1 thermostat properly routes coolant to the right places when the engine is cold and hot. The water pump has numerouse, complex passages. No thermostat just mixes up all the cool and hot coolant inthe water pump. Efficiency is decreased.

You probably did not get all the air bled out on the initial install. Common issue.

lncboytre_d

Damn. So half my engine could be over heating?

shbox

It may not overheat, but you are defeating the purpose of how the passages work in the pump.

lncboytre_d

Ok cool. I'll replace it asap. I rebuilt my entire top end with the help of your page, replaced the tranny and then went back and put a new bottom end in all with the guidence of your web page. B4 then I had no clue as to what to do and where to start. Thanks for all u have done Rob.
Tre
p.s.
Now I'm a master mechanic. LMAO

fleetmgr

No stat in any engine is a bad idea, regardless of make or model. Chances are it will overheat, and you'll never know. Without the stat, the coolant doesn't stay in contact long enough to remove any heat to speak of, so by the time it shows on the gauge you're already toast.

zstr28

The extra piece on the bottom of the LT1 thermostat is there to direct the flow into the heads first.