I seem to be overheating according to the original gauge. Before spending the money on new gauges and sending units I was wondering about removing the thermostats all together or if this would cause more overheating. I do not drive this car in the winter. I have already re-cored the radiator. Any advice?
Is the engine really overheating? (puking, steaming, etc...) Verify temp with a mech gauge before you do anything else.
You need to find out if its actually overheating.Is it boiling coolant out the overflow? if not I would guess the gauge/senders are bad. I would suggest buying a cheap mechanical gauge and see what it shows.
Just got to your local auto parts store and grab a cheap mechanical gauge... no fussing with wiring. Just thread it in and read the temp.
Just go to any major brand parts house, buy a cheapo mechanical guage. You don't want to change every thing yet just find out if the two guages agree with each other. Whether they do or not, thermostat removal ain't the best way to go. Engines like a certain amount of warmth. When you're finished with the mechanical guage stick it in your tool box, it's a good tool to have. Damn I type slow.
Update on the Overheating the Flathead: I installed two mechanical gauges (one in each head to get an accurate reading) and my temps on both heads with 160 degree thermostats never went above 170 while sitting in the shop running at idle for appox. 30 minutes. Will take it out this afternoon to see ow she does driving in traffic.
Factory stats are supposed to be fully open by 180. For later flatheads, there were 180's and some around 190-195, the hotter ones likely to perk up heater in wintertime.
The most popular school of thought on thermostat removal is ……. The coolant will p*** threw the radiator to fast to be cooled fully without them. They (thermostats) restrict the flow down to the proper speed / flow.
Well, the bad part is that engine will likely run too cold when not under much load, and of course that will get much worse in cool weather. Poor oil flow, engine clearances all wrong, combustion water ac***ulating in oil pan, sludge, on and on with bad stuff.
Update: Did the test drive on Thursday, the temp outside was 85 and sunny and I was in traffic, temp at stop light behind other vehicles got to 190 and driving down the street was 180. I believe we are ok. Thanks for all the advice, next up, brake work they are a little mushy.
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