Just put in a fresh 350 crate engine. Regarding the cooling system I replaced the thermostat with a 160 and the coolant temp switch with a 160 also. One issue I had was my upper and lower coolant hoses were very "tight" when the car was allowed to get to operating temp. I pulled the thermostat and am running without...question is while on the freeway my temperature creeps into the 200+ zone. Is this due to the coolant moving to fast throught the radiator.? Anyone experienced this before and what benefits/issues may I have without running with a thermostat?

thanks!

 

Yup...been there..and your right the water is moving too fast through the system and not being cooled.The thermostat is a restriction,keeps coolant inside the radiator.I havent seen any benefits from not running them unless its strictly a drag car.Daily driver...there are long term affects, the oil never reaching temperature(sludge)...engine oil has three jobs.It lubricates..cools..and prevents rust and corrosion.If it doesnt get to that temp.... well you get the point.The coolant running through at a fast rate forms cavation,air pockets..etc.Not to mention if you have a computer on the car it will create problems on driveability/performance.

 

Do not run without a thermostat. Your car will overheat due to fluid moving quickly thru system. use the 160, but make sure you are topped offf with coolant and have no bubbles in your system.
POZ

 

I had that problem with a pro street car with a 4:56 gear, moved the water through the system to fast, it would take a while to build heat but once it got to that point the only way you could cool it was to let it idle, with the gearing it was also passing the water though the engine too fast so it could not pick up the heat to transfer to the radiator. I just put a 170 thermo in drilled 6 1/8 in holes in it around the edge and never had a problem again.