102224

94 4.9 and 93 5.0 would always run a little hot and push fluid in overfill. removed thermostats and neither truck has overheated at all in past 7 years.

mr7confused

Yep.

But they can run too cold if its too cold out. I always thought that the thermostats really restrict the flow of water though too...

qdeezie

You need a thermostat.

Preferrably a Stant Superstat.

If the truck is overheating, there are other problems causing it. You may want to inspect the fan clutch for starters. That's a part that is overlooked. If you spin the fan clutch while the engine is cold and it shows no resistance, that's your problem right there.

kozal01

iTrader: (2)

This ^^ Your radiators ability to cool determines the highest temp you coolant will run, not your thermostat. If yours was overheating with the thermostat in it than you had a faulty thermostat. Running without a thermostat will actually over cool your engine which is also not good for the motor or fuel economy.

JulianR

I had the same issue with my 95 5.8, previous owner must have gone mudding because when i took the waterpump off it was packed with mud, coolant wasnt going into the engine.

102224

you know everyone says its not good to run without thermostat but ive done it for over 7 years not once has gauge made it to the line before normal. fuel mileage is 17/20 city hwy and not a sight of sludge in valve cover or oil pan. so if you think not running a thermostat is bad i say to you oh well. ive tried both ways and i will NEVER use a thermostat again.

102224

uh i would suggest its stop leak and not mud.

102224

my understanding is it is designed to warm engine up quicker. but i have always been in habit of letting my vehichles warm up for 15min even if im going a block down the street. and i live in Texas, it doesnt get cold here. i really feel sorry for yall up north with the cold weather and rust. thank god im from Tx.

kozal01

iTrader: (2)

Every vehicle manufacturer wouldnt use a thermostat if it wasnt essential to have as part of the cooling system. Just because you havent seen any outward damage from not running one your engine no doubt has suffered internally from not running at optimal temp. Is your engine going to explode, probably not but you will shorten the life of if for sure if you continue to run it that way.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/question248.htm

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/cooling-system.htm

102224

so your saying if a truck overheats its not the thermostat? a thermostat is replaced more than water pumps and radiators and fan clutchs. ive bought brand new thermostats and put them in a pan of water on stove and usually wont open until 10,15,or20 degrees warmer than specified temp. i completely disagree with you and im sure more people will too.