Installing Bob Shewmans thermostats
 

I got Bob Shewmans thermostats to see how they work in my '47 tudor with 59A engine compared to the bellows type thermostats in the engine now. My question is do Shewmans thermostats install in the upper radiator hose near the top radiator necks or down low above the water outlet on the heads?

Re: Installing Bob Shewmans thermostats
 

Top near the neck I believe.

Re: Installing Bob Shewmans thermostats
 

I tried mounting regular thermostats top near the neck. Found that it takes some time for the engine heat to reach the stat and engine temp will start to get you worried. I moved them down to head. Less worrying.

Re: Installing Bob Shewmans thermostats
 

They sit up against the tubes from the radiator tank. The purpose is to hold them
in place. Mounted lower in the hose they will be pushed up as the hoses expand
and from water flow. These stats have pre flow holes and some water flows on
start up. As the water gets to 180 if that's what the stats are they them move
to keep the temperature at 180 or what ever the stats are. Shewman's stats have
a larger flow opening than other stats plus the pre flow holes and provide more
coolant flow than other modern stats with small flow openings that reduce the
flow. The high volumn flow is important in hot weather, in cooler weather you
don't have over heating problems. You have to remember stats have nothing to
do with cooling they only raise the temperature in the engine. G.M.

Re: Installing Bob Shewmans thermostats
 

Hi, I have installed these thermosats In my in my 1946 and in my 1948, They both run great with them. I highly recommend them and have driven on plus 90 degee days.

Re: Installing Bob Shewmans thermostats
 

I'm looking forward to installing them soon and going for a drive. Thanks guys.

Re: Installing Bob Shewmans thermostats
 

Anyone considering the use of Shewman's thermostats may want to review this empirical test of them in comparison with another more commonly used and recommended thermostat: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...hlight=shewman

Re: Installing Bob Shewmans thermostats
 

For what your test evaluation is worth??? Read what people who have
them installed have to report. You have to be capable of following
instructions G.M.

Re: Installing Bob Shewmans thermostats
 

Fellas, I respect everyone's opinion and point of view and am aware about all the previous debate. I'm simply trying something different here for the fun of it. I'm not endorsing one method over the other. It's not that big a deal to me.

Re: Installing Bob Shewmans thermostats
 

With any thermostat you install always drill a 1/8 inch hole in the middle of the outer ring. It allows a little water through and prevents air lock.

Re: Installing Bob Shewmans thermostats
 

Just asking,why are they not made with a hole

Re: Installing Bob Shewmans thermostats
 

Me either.

Re: Installing Bob Shewmans thermostats
 

I am also planning to order a set of Shewmans thermostats for my 35 fordor. I would rather do my own evaluation in a vehicle that I am more familar with, and compare these results to the temperatures I'm getting now using stock type thermostats like Ford originally used.

Re: Installing Bob Shewmans thermostats
 

The hole is to let air escape as you fill the cooling system. Water goes into the block through the lower hoses and as it fills air need to be expelled at the top.

Re: Installing Bob Shewmans thermostats
 

If you read GM's post it will tell you that it already has a bleed hole provided.

Re: Installing Bob Shewmans thermostats
 

Last Fall I replaced the aluminum heads on my '34 due to excessive electrolysis. While the heads were off I decided to clean out the scale, rust and debris from inside the water jacket. I spent three days doing this using a stiff wire scraper, very high pressure air and a vacuum. I was amazed at how much stuff came out of that block. When I finished cleaning the block I replace the heads with new Kearney Pattern Works reproduction heads. I also had the radiator re-cored and installed water pumps rebuilt by 'Skip'. I was really pleased with the results of all of this but could never get the operating temperature over 130 degrees after several months of driving. I never ran stats in this car. Too cold I thought, so I ordered a pair of 160 degree stats from Bob Shewman. I installed them as directed in the upper part of the radiator hoses close the radiator inlet. The affects these stats had on my flathead were remarkable - it warms up much faster and it seems to run noticeably smoother. The temp seldom goes above 160 even on hot days. My cooling system is not pressurized. I'm impressed....

P.S. - I think what impresses me the most about these Shewmans'd stats of mine is how steady the operating temperature holds at 160 degrees....

Re: Installing Bob Shewmans thermostats
 

Did these flatheads come from the assembly line with T-stats? Mine didn't have any when I got my car. My car was overheating last year and had a problem with quitting after a few miles because of an original coil. Sent that to Skip and used that time to rebuild my distributor. Car ran great but didn't drive very much since winter was knocking. This spring I had a water leak out of one of my pumps and sent to Skip for a rebuild. I also purchased a pair of NOS T-stats from ebay...think it was $30 for the pair. Don't know how to describe them...they sit on the water neck of the head and there's a strap coil spring and a "flapper" valve. Anyway, I did the Dream cruise last weekend and it was 90+ in stop and go traffic. The hottest the engine got was just short of the upper "hot" line on the original mercury gauge. I was happy with the cars performance under those conditions. I'm also happy with the coil and pumps Skip has rebuilt for me.

Re: Installing Bob Shewmans thermostats
 

How much did Skip charge you to rebuild his pump that developed a leak
after about a year of service?? G.M.

Re: Installing Bob Shewmans thermostats
 

GM...they were the old original pumps that I had skip rebuild this year...not pumps that he had previously rebuilt for me.

Re: Installing Bob Shewmans thermostats
 

I thought that was the case when I first read your post, but regarding GM's reply, I am sure he wanted to let you know that Skip stands behind his work 100%. That's one of several good reasons to have Skip do your water pumps rather that buying a new set made off-shore. It's not likely you would get this kind of service on pumps made in China.

Re: Installing Bob Shewmans thermostats
 

I know this sounds like it's becoming an advertisement for Skip and off topic but so far I am impressed with his coil rebuilding. In my opinion there is not another option for flathead coils.

Re: Installing Bob Shewmans thermostats
 

Dave, What temperatures did you witness before and after you'd installed these? What thermostats did you have in there prior to these?

Re: Installing Bob Shewmans thermostats
 

How about a 9° day? How do they work then? (One answer here: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=121447 Posts #1 and #25)

Re: Installing Bob Shewmans thermostats
 

The current stock replacement thermostats do have a vent hole with a "jiggle pin" in them to shut them off after the cooling system is filled and the engine is running.

Vent open for filling:

http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7aac5a0e.jpg

Vent closed when water pumping:

http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3ea8e7e2.jpg

The Stant thermostats that I use and recommend have a notch in the valve plate that lets the air through when filling. It is visible in this photo of the Stant on the right. Left is the current stock replacement stat just showing the comparison of the openings in each for water to flow through - the Stant obviously bigger.

http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/...psb3c84637.jpg

Re: Installing Bob Shewmans thermostats
 

Those Stant stats restrict the flow of coolant. G.M.

Re: Installing Bob Shewmans thermostats
 

I have the Stants and they work great. I cannot make my flattie go past 190, mostly sits on 180.

Re: Installing Bob Shewmans thermostats
 

What works great for one might not work at all for the other.

Re: Installing Bob Shewmans thermostats
 

Just purchased a set of Bob Shewman 180 degree thermostats for my rebuilt 39 81A engine. Presently engine is running too cool. Radiator has been cleaned and block given a good clean so hoping to raise run temps up around 175 to 180.
Pleased i found this post as i was wondering where to locate them. But see to locate at top of hose at inlet to radiator.
Thanks as always for good suppied info.
Phil NZ