Technical Studebaker over heating

I have a 289 studebaker engine that never overheated. I put a new radiator because old one started leaking. Put a new thermostat in the right way. Let the car run for 15-20 minutes and the gauge started to climb higher than it did before. Friends told me it could be a reverse flow . Was told to put the thermostat in upside down. Let the car run for 15 minutes and never overheated. Can somebody explain how that worked.

 

Hmm, have not heard that one before !
But then...hot water is hot water. Thermostats rarely ocelate open and closed. Once open, they stay open until the temp. drops well below the stated temperature.
The opening (water p***age)...hasn't changed in diameter... Sounds odd to me.

And it being a Studebaker makes no difference. The cooling / water flow are the same as all other 50's to 80's engines (NOT...reversed!).

Mike

 

It just does. Maybe someone put a reverse flow water pump on it?

 

Did you, the first time?

 

Did you ask over on the Studebaker Drivers Club forum?

 

That is my next step

 

It is the same water pump the car always had in it . Never overheated

 

Can you post a pic of the thermostat you used, then point out what side went into the block that made it work properly? If it resembles thermostats that I have used over the years, the “bulb” for a lack of a better term, is stamped with the rating, that side goes into the block/intake.

 

I'm thinking that perhaps you just had some air trapped in the system and when you swap the thermostat again it got the air out.