I own an 84 TA 4bbl HO. Recently, my thermostat stuck, causing my car to overheat. I removed it and it obviously runs cool now. I was just wondering if it would be a good idea to run with out the thermo. during the winter? I know I won't have too much heat from the heater... lol. Also, is it true that gas milage and emissions will suffer without one? Thanks for any replies.

BTW: I know this isn't a carb question, but there is no radiator section. Thanks again.

 

I don't know if emissions will suffer but gas mileage almost certainly will drop. Probably not a lot but when I took mine out I lost about 1 or 2 mpg due to it took forever to warm up(that and it didn't want to get any warmer than about 130 degrees. Winter time you definately want to run one or you may not get any kind of heat from the heater depending on how cold it is in the winter.

 

There isn't a radiator section, but there is a general engine board. I'm gonna move this there..you'll get more answers.

 

there are a lot of race cars running without the t-stat but most of them run a restrictor to slow the flow of water and to improve the transfer of heat from the hard parts to the coolent. on my car i just cut the "legs" off the t-stat and removed the spring to make a restrictor.

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ICON Motorsports
1st & 3rd
MM Black Diamond 538 F&AM

 

Running without a thermostat will take more time for an engine to get up to operating temperature. It will take even longer in the winter.

If you don't drive far or long enough for the engine to get to it's proper operating temperature, the engine may not be able to burn off the internal condensation.

Definately not a problem for the short term. Generally not a good idea as a permanent "fix" for a street car.

 

just buy a new t-stat. their only like 7 bucks

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RED82TA5.7L

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Well, I did buy a new one, I'm just going to wait until the weather gets colder to put it in... like October or so. I just wanted to make sure everything would be alright until then. Thanks for the replies.