Hi,

I bought a projet 3gen RS v8 and was flushing the radiator when i just realised that the previous owner just removed the thermostat...
Is there any use to do so?
Can i just go ahead and put a new one back on or should i look for something before?

Thx!

 

Put a new one in. I like the 180*F. Guys remove them as a bandaid to overheating problems. Probably gonna run too cool without it, which is not ideal. Of course by putting one in you MIGHT discover you have an overheating problem, caused by an inadequacy somewhere else on your car.

 

As above, the 'stat was likely removed in a misguided attempt to solve some problem but removing it can cause new issues. If the car is still stock (IOW, still ecm controlled), coolant temperature is one of many measurements the computer tracks to make the engine run properly.

I suggest you drain all the old coolant, properly install a name brand thermostat, pressure-test the cooling system, and then see how it goes from there.

 

An engine that has ran without a thermostat for a long time will often have more wear on the cylinders closest to the water pump outlets-especially old manual choke carb engines.

 

Heard that for decades. Heard it was from some old Continental Engine Co, test, from the '40's...or before. Never been able to find any documentation or evidence of that test or any test more recent. It seems to be "lore".

I'd love to see more than, "Someone on the 'net said...."

 

I'd put a 180 degree in and then see how temps are at idle and going down the highway. Make sure there's an air dam under the rad support, everyone who doesn't know these cars too well removes them without realizing how vital they are for down the highway cooling. The cooling system in these cars is way too simple to just Band-Aid by removing the thermostat. All that can really make one of these cars overheat aside from timing is a missing air dam, plugged radiator, failing water pump, bad radiator cap, or collapsing rad hoses.