Thanks for all of your replies! I had no idea it would creat this much discussion. As to the reason for removing the thermostat.... He has a 49 Willys Overland. He was thinking of driving from here in central Wisconsin to Puebla Mexico with it to take a required language class during this summer. He wants to tow his friend's 350 motorcycle on a 2 wheel trailer. He has been having temp problems. The temp runs just below the "hot" mark on his gauge. He is studying to be a mechanical engineer, and I can't tell him much he doesn't already know. He seemed surprised when I suggested taking the stat out to see how low the temp could get and to get some good flow while trying to clean out the cooling system. Since I asked the board this question, he took it on a trip of 100 miles and blew the head gasket. Better now than in Mexico.
His water temp was running at 160 degrees. In order to know if the cooling system is cleaned out and performing well, I figured that if we knew what an "average" engine's water temp was without a stat, we would know if we had it cleaned out. Anybody have a ball park on that number?
If he got into the mountains, pulling even a small trailer, in a hot country, he would be s.o.o.l.
He needs Spanish to graduate next spring and has a "girl that is a friend" that is going to school in this town near Mexico City. ....I know, I know, but think of what you were doing at that age. Thanks again - Scott
