Thermostat
Thread Starter
|
Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 88
Likes: 1
From: Guaynabo, PR
Thermostat
Hello People!
Still a bit sore after taxes...I need your advice whether or not to remove a thermostat.
A friend of mine told me I should get rid of it, so I could have a steady flow of coolant into the engine...Should I punch him?
I'm a bit confused...really, I don't know what to think...I bought a used 1997 F-150 Regular Cab, 4x2, 4.2L Auto Tranny, 28,000 miles, runs like new. I got a good price and I don't want to blow up the engine
Still a bit sore after taxes...I need your advice whether or not to remove a thermostat.
A friend of mine told me I should get rid of it, so I could have a steady flow of coolant into the engine...Should I punch him?
I'm a bit confused...really, I don't know what to think...I bought a used 1997 F-150 Regular Cab, 4x2, 4.2L Auto Tranny, 28,000 miles, runs like new. I got a good price and I don't want to blow up the engine
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 1999
Posts: 7,030
Likes: 3
From: WINDSOR, ONTARIO, CANADA
HI!... Taking the stat out totally is a old backyard mechanic's fix for a engine that kept overheating. Some people would take it out and replace it with a restrictor, which is basically a big thin washer made from steel or plastic. They come in different sizes for different flow characteristics. It's not the proper solution. If an engine is overheating there is a reason why, and itshould be found and corrected properly. If there is nothing wrong with your truck at all and your buddy is still telling you to do this then this is my advice for you.
Tell your buddy to lay on your driveway and you proceed to drive back and forth overtop of him till he see's the error in his thinking!
Tell your buddy to lay on your driveway and you proceed to drive back and forth overtop of him till he see's the error in his thinking!
Thread Starter
|
Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 88
Likes: 1
From: Guaynabo, PR
Thanks Neal!
There is nothing wrong, no overheating problems. I did some basic maintenance and it runs and rides great. I believe some people are just jealous...
I posted one back about gauges going crazy at times, but this would happen maybe once a week, sometimes when starting the truck first thing in the morning before going to work...except for that, no signs whatsoever for overheating...
Thanks again!!!
There is nothing wrong, no overheating problems. I did some basic maintenance and it runs and rides great. I believe some people are just jealous...
I posted one back about gauges going crazy at times, but this would happen maybe once a week, sometimes when starting the truck first thing in the morning before going to work...except for that, no signs whatsoever for overheating...
Thanks again!!!
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,704
Likes: 0
From: Mpls, MN
Um...You're not supposed to buy '97 4.2L's. They have issues.
It actually has the potential to be a great engine but there are some problems with the gaskets. If you take a look at the torque procedures for the intake, head, and front cover gaskets, you can see why there are problems. The procedure is very time consuming and with no room for error. On top of that, the original gaskets had problems. Put it all together and you're just asking for trouble.
I wouldn't worry about removing the thermostat. One of the reasons it's there is that until your engine reaches normal operating temp, it runs in a rich fuel mode. If you're running rich, you use a lot more fuel. If there is no thermostat, then your engine may run too cool.
I wouldn't worry about removing the thermostat. One of the reasons it's there is that until your engine reaches normal operating temp, it runs in a rich fuel mode. If you're running rich, you use a lot more fuel. If there is no thermostat, then your engine may run too cool.
