Thermostats

[Sid]

Is or has any one used the Subaru thermostats in a 59AB and if so how does it work out? Good or bad? These are 170 deg. Stant # 14157

[JSeery]

Why not use a higher temp thermostat? Like a 180. Just curious.

[Sid]

Originally Posted by JSeery

Why not use a higher temp thermostat? Like a 180. Just curious.

Some folks like to run 160 deg. in the flatheads. I do know 180 deg. is ideal for the older cars. 170 deg is middle of the road. On a hot summer day it would probably run 175-180 around town anyway. Is there a stant 180 thermostat available at Napa?

[JSeery]

Lot of info in this post. https://fordbarn.com/forum/showthrea...ght=Thermostat

Believe these are 170 deg thermostats:

O'Reilly part # 2962
Murray # 4157
NAPA # THM 111
Stant # 14157.

ACDELCO 12T4D is a 180

[Steves46]

I did and they work great. Steve

[Ford Freak]

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[QUOTE=Steves46;1704365]I did and they work great. Steve[/QU


So did I .

[Phil Gillespie]

Recommend 180 stats. Using Bob Shewman ones in my 81 A engine.
Glad I went with 180.
Phil NZ

[51woodie]

So. Being new to flatheads when I got my '46 last year, I read a lot of posts on the Barn and EFV8C. There was lots of information that was very helpful in getting my car on the road. But, there were lots of posts about engines overheating, so I removed the rad for flushing and pressure testing, bought new upper and lower hoses, and (in my logic) two 160 deg. stats. The old stats were, not matched, (a 160 and a 170) and one was cocked sideways in the pass side hose. I used a tip from one of the posts to cut a short piece of smaller OD rad hose to insert in the engine end of the upper hose to secure the stats. I drove the car lots this past summer, and the temp hardly registers at highway speed, and comes up a bit in town. One thing I see, is the Autolite 216 plugs are not the nice brown color. Would changing to 170 or 180 deg. help? Are there any concerns about running 160's? What is the benefit of say a 180 deg. stat?

[JSeery]

The higher the temperature the engine runs at the higher the efficiency. Higher engine temps also helps remove the impurities in the oil and reduces sludge build up. There are limits on the flatheads, such as engine compartment heat, low pressure cooling system, etc. 180 to 185 is a good running temperature.

[Sid]

Originally Posted by 51woodie

So. Being new to flatheads when I got my '46 last year, I read a lot of posts on the Barn and EFV8C. There was lots of information that was very helpful in getting my car on the road. But, there were lots of posts about engines overheating, so I removed the rad for flushing and pressure testing, bought new upper and lower hoses, and (in my logic) two 160 deg. stats. The old stats were, not matched, (a 160 and a 170) and one was cocked sideways in the pass side hose. I used a tip from one of the posts to cut a short piece of smaller OD rad hose to insert in the engine end of the upper hose to secure the stats. I drove the car lots this past summer, and the temp hardly registers at highway speed, and comes up a bit in town. One thing I see, is the Autolite 216 plugs are not the nice brown color. Would changing to 170 or 180 deg. help? Are there any concerns about running 160's? What is the benefit of say a 180 deg. stat?

It's not unusual for a flathead to run 5-8 degrees warmer on one side. I run two flatheads, a Merc. + 030 and a 8BA + .100 over they run that way. One side will be at about 178 deg. and the other side will just over 170 deg. That could be the reason for mis matched stats. 180 degrees +or- 5 degrees is ideal to burn contaminates from the oil and better engine life..

[Tinker]

i've heard the sub temps work well. Use them and let us know. If they fit and open at 170. Check them with a meat temp and a pot of water on the stove.



flatheads are basically two cooling systems in one block. One side might be clogged, ect. so many reasons. They run 5-10 degrees different all the time. if not too hot then...

[Drbrown]

I run 160 degree Stant's and the engine runs at 175 degrees when its warmed-up anyway. I have a temp gauge for each side, a new radiator, stock 4 lb. cap, stock water pumps and 6-blade belt driven fan. Driving up long steady highway grades, and bumper-to-bumper traffic will bring it up to around 180 degrees.

Check your temp gauge. Stock gauges not trustworthy. Don't know how you can run 160 degree stats and the gauge doesn't show anything. Stats should keep it at their operating point.

Also, over-heating of engine compartment can be a concern i.e. vapor lock.

[mfirth]

I have an 8ba and ran 160s, it always ran over 180. Put 180s in & it runs 180 even on hot days. Coolant stays in the radiator longer, with the 180 stat. So i was told. Works 4 me.

[JSeery]

The purpose of a thermostat is to get the engine up to operating temperature as quickly as possible and maintain a minimum operating temperature. They should not cause an engine to run any hotter than the opening temp of the thermostat or the normal running temperature of the engine if everything in the cooling system is working properly.

[Karl Wolf]

The people in todays auto parts stores don't recognize the term "reverse poppet".
These are thermostats that fail open.
Rather than closed- cooking engine.
The're more expensive than the others.
Very worth it.

Karl

[GB SISSON]

I'm running the napa 111 subaru 170 degree stats in both of my 59 blocks. Last week I put a 3 door heater in the pickup and wish I had switched them to the 180s. Fan is powerful and quiet, but could use a few more BTUs. I also understand what Mr. Seerey says about efficiency and keeping the sludge down. Those of us that are less scientific tend to think of cooler stats to keep from overheating, but as Seerey says, it's probably some other problem causing overheat condition. 180s next time for this guy.

[Sid]

I picked up a pair of the Subaru stats today at Napa. They will not work with the Navarro heads as the neck for the hose is about 1.400" I.D. They need to be closer to 1.500 I.D. I bought Navarro heads because I thought I was buying quality and the reputation. They cost about $150.00 more then the garden variety but are not a very good casting in my opinion. The water neck is also slight larger O.D. also. and a very porous casting head. Also cutting corners by only one bung in each head for gauge heater barb etc. Most other heads have 2 bungs. Had I realized the hose casting was a smaller I.D. I could have addressed before motor was together and in the car. I can still use the bellows type stats.

[B-O-B]

Sid .,Thanks for the heads up on the Navarro heads. Good tip.

[flatjack9]

Were these the repops that H&H is selling?

[Sid]

From H&H $825.00 plus shipping. The machine work on the underside look okay. I will be okay as long as I can get the bellows style stats. If I ever have these heads off the motor I will address the water neck I.D.