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Old 08-23-2016, 07:53 PM   #1
Seth Swoboda
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Default 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?
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Old 08-23-2016, 07:54 PM   #2
JSeery
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Default Re: Installing Bob Shewmans thermostats

Top near the neck I believe.
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Old 08-24-2016, 04:18 AM   #3
Tony, NY
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Default 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.
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Old 08-24-2016, 07:49 AM   #4
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Default 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.
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Old 08-24-2016, 08:16 AM   #5
dave collette
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Default 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.
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Old 08-24-2016, 09:00 AM   #6
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Default Re: Installing Bob Shewmans thermostats

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I'm looking forward to installing them soon and going for a drive. Thanks guys.
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Old 08-24-2016, 03:09 PM   #7
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Default 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
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Old 08-24-2016, 03:29 PM   #8
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Default Re: Installing Bob Shewmans thermostats

Quote:
Originally Posted by Old Henry View Post
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
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.
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Old 08-24-2016, 04:16 PM   #9
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Default 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.
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Old 08-24-2016, 04:45 PM   #10
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Default 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.
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Old 08-24-2016, 05:22 PM   #11
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Default Re: Installing Bob Shewmans thermostats

Just asking,why are they not made with a hole

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Old 08-24-2016, 07:03 PM   #12
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Default Re: Installing Bob Shewmans thermostats

Quote:
Originally Posted by Seth Swoboda View Post
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.
Me either.
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Old 08-25-2016, 12:02 AM   #13
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Default 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.
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Old 08-25-2016, 07:00 AM   #14
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Default Re: Installing Bob Shewmans thermostats

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Originally Posted by glennsanders View Post
Just asking,why are they made with a hole
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.
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Old 08-25-2016, 05:24 PM   #15
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Default Re: Installing Bob Shewmans thermostats

If you read GM's post it will tell you that it already has a bleed hole provided.
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Old 08-25-2016, 05:57 PM   #16
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Default 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....
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Old 08-25-2016, 07:34 PM   #17
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Default 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.
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Old 08-25-2016, 09:37 PM   #18
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Default Re: Installing Bob Shewmans thermostats

Quote:
Originally Posted by Capt Kirk View Post
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.
How much did Skip charge you to rebuild his pump that developed a leak
after about a year of service?? G.M.
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Old 08-26-2016, 07:17 AM   #19
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Default 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.
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Old 08-26-2016, 10:22 AM   #20
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Default Re: Installing Bob Shewmans thermostats

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