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PKRWUD · 09-05-2001, 09:24 AM

The thermostat maintains a consistant temperature. An engine with no t-stat will usually run hotter. The fluid in the cooling system pulls the heat from the engine, and transfers it to the atmosphere while it passes through the cooling fins in the radiator. If there was no t-stat, the fluid wouldn't stay in the engine long enough to absorb the heat, and it wouldn't stay in the radiator long enough to release it. The biggest misconception most people have is thinking that a lower temp t-stat will always make the engine run cooler, and that's just not true. In fact, the Ford OEM 192 t-stat will keep a fuel injected 5.0 at a much more consistant temp.

The theory that a cold engine produces more power is wrong, too. What produces the power is a cold air intakle. Colder air is denser, and contains more oxygen, which is where the power comes from. Keeping the engine at a steady 195-200 degrees, and having a cold air system that draws the air from outside the engine compartment will yield the best results.

When it comes to a fuel injected engine, this becomes even more important. The ECU is what decides what your ignition timing and fuel mixture will be at, and it relies on other sensors to to make these decisions. If you try to trick the ECU, you are the only one that will suffer. The ECU stays in a rich mode called open loop until the engine reaches operating temperature, at which time it goes into closed loop, where it starts to respond to the info it receives from the other sensors, and make adjustments acordingly. If you try to trick the ECU into staying in open loop for the richer mixture, then actual damage will start to occur. A consistantly rich mixture will clog up your cats in a month or less, as well as dilute your oil, promoting accelerated wear on your bearings, rings cylinder walls, cam and valve train.

The Ford OEM t-stat is the most accurate one I'm aware of, and is also the only one I know of that has the same pintle valve in it that is used for bleeding the air from the system.

Keep in mind, if your radiator cap isn't up to par, the cooling system won't work very well anyway.

Take care
~Chris

------------------
Retired Moderator
MustangNet

My site: JimPorterRacing

RACECAR spelled backwards is RACECAR

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09-05-2001, 09:24 AM	#2
PKRWUD Junior Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Ventura, California Posts: 8,981	The thermostat maintains a consistant temperature. An engine with no t-stat will usually run hotter. The fluid in the cooling system pulls the heat from the engine, and transfers it to the atmosphere while it passes through the cooling fins in the radiator. If there was no t-stat, the fluid wouldn't stay in the engine long enough to absorb the heat, and it wouldn't stay in the radiator long enough to release it. The biggest misconception most people have is thinking that a lower temp t-stat will always make the engine run cooler, and that's just not true. In fact, the Ford OEM 192 t-stat will keep a fuel injected 5.0 at a much more consistant temp. The theory that a cold engine produces more power is wrong, too. What produces the power is a cold air intakle. Colder air is denser, and contains more oxygen, which is where the power comes from. Keeping the engine at a steady 195-200 degrees, and having a cold air system that draws the air from outside the engine compartment will yield the best results. When it comes to a fuel injected engine, this becomes even more important. The ECU is what decides what your ignition timing and fuel mixture will be at, and it relies on other sensors to to make these decisions. If you try to trick the ECU, you are the only one that will suffer. The ECU stays in a rich mode called open loop until the engine reaches operating temperature, at which time it goes into closed loop, where it starts to respond to the info it receives from the other sensors, and make adjustments acordingly. If you try to trick the ECU into staying in open loop for the richer mixture, then actual damage will start to occur. A consistantly rich mixture will clog up your cats in a month or less, as well as dilute your oil, promoting accelerated wear on your bearings, rings cylinder walls, cam and valve train. The Ford OEM t-stat is the most accurate one I'm aware of, and is also the only one I know of that has the same pintle valve in it that is used for bleeding the air from the system. Keep in mind, if your radiator cap isn't up to par, the cooling system won't work very well anyway. Take care ~Chris ------------------ Retired Moderator MustangNet My site: JimPorterRacing RACECAR spelled backwards is RACECAR HEY !!! Are you ASE Certified ??? If you are, ask me about iATN. The best tool you'll ever have, and it's free !!!