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removing thermostats

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markymarc350

Contributing Member
Was wondering peoples thoughts on removing the thermostats on an older 318chyrs , I know they wer put there for a reason but my mecanic sugested takeing them out , I must say , motors are now running a consistent 160-165 compaired to 180-195 after long runs , my question is can I harm anything without them...his views wer the colder the better and said it only really mattered with the newer computerized engins...so why are they there in the first place ??
 
The colder the better? That's new to me! For the exhaust system yes. If it's fresh water cooled (antifreeze), the manual states; "160-200 deg". If not, what has been done to check if other hardware is faulty? Impellers, water pump, hoses, intakes, manifolds, elbows, heat exchanger, oil cooler, timing.........all been checked? Raw water cooled should run 140-165 deg.
 
Well it is fresh.water cooled...the more I keep reading, it seems prety common for people to be running these older 318s without a thermostat, and well, so far so good but should I be consirned about carbon build up or should that burn off around 160? Thanks for input

, marc
 
I can understand why Chrysler ran thier RWC systems up to 165 re salt water issues, gotta think though that if they designed the FWC system to run that much higher, the engine should be perfectly comfortable running that way, and probably runs better.

Since you dropped the temp, are you still dumping coolant?
 
Yep..I no its not the correct way to go about this but after reading some more reviews on barrs leak,most wer good ) I was gunna give it a shot before I rip it apart , some one elese wrote it may be an easy fix and may just be a block off plate gasket by the elbow? Thanks for your input, Ill let u guys no if it works.
 
As long as your engine is FWC and is getting hot enough to burn off the condensation in the crank case you will be fine with out the T-stat. If you start to find the milky residue under the oil fill cap it's time to reinstall the t-stat.
 
Well,first run out today and just like last year the leak out the exaust fixed itself,guess ill keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best...so much for pieceof minde,wonder if the barrs leak will fix the low compression on the one cylinder,it was one 80 psi.compaired to 120 and motor runs great
 
the thermostats are there for a reason, I ran mine for a season with out them, poor fuel economy, & down on power, put back the 140's & purring again
 
Cold-running marine engines can't burn off moisture in the oil, which causes sludge and acid that eats the bearings. Use a t-stat!

Jeff
 
fastjeff said:
Cold-running marine engines can't burn off moisture in the oil, which causes sludge and acid that eats the bearings. Use a t-stat!

Jeff
Click to expand...

Agreed but, his engines are FWC and running at 160 degrees with out the t-stat, that is hot enough. If it was raw water cooled he would definitely need the t-stats for reason you stated.
 
If it's running at 160 without a t-stat, two things come to mind:

1. Something is wrong! It should never get that hot without a t-stat, and

2. The motor is NOT running that hot all the time, meaning that it's running way too cold at other times (and sloooow to warm up).

Jeff
 
So aslong as she get past 150-160 im fine rite?and as per power i havent seen a diftence gess ill keep an eye on much fuel im burning ,also havent seen any condinsati on under cap,once agin,160 should be hot enough rite? And thanks agin guys,im loving this web site
 
It Dose take a little longer to warm up but bit really a problem,i Rioja it out cuz it started pushing over 200 after about 35 min running on plane,i did change water pump but didnt change anything ?
 
1. You have a cooling system problem

2. It is NOT okay for the motor to run cold that long until it finally warms up, and

3. You need more than to reinstall the t-stats! You need to find out WHY it's running hotter than it should--with or without t-stats.

Jeff
 
Jeff is right. You need to find the problem, not look for a quick fix. When was the last time you had the heat exchanger cleaned? How old are the manifolds and risers? Are the exhaust manifolds fresh water cooled also?
 
Yep I was afraid of that ,it is fwc ,and is due for risers,just don't have 800 bucks.well actually both engines are due so x2.bought the boat last year a owner said they wer almost 6 years old.he did boil out one exchanger,babe I'll atleast start with doing the otherone.gggggzzzzzBOAT,break out another thousand!!
 
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