Ford Radiator Pipe

[Tony Smith]

That's a good point to remind us of, Lynn.

I think a lot of issues relating to overheating and the old argument of to have/not have a thermostat, don't put enough emphasis of the seating of the thermostat. (Just a rehash of the argument, there are people who have various schools of thought on keeping a Ford V8 cool; "no thermostat" to provide constant flow of coolant, "washer with a hole" to provide a constant flow, but keep it in the block a little longer, and "fit a thermostat" because that's how Henry made them.)

I like to fit a thermostat (160deg, for those who want to know), but it can only work like it's supposed to if it is snugly seated to the head outlet.

Ford designed these to have the metal radiator pipe fit down onto the thermostat and the hose to clamp it all in place. But modern practice is to have say 1/2" clearance inside the hose between the pipe and head, to allow the radiator pipe to flex a little to help aligning it to the radiator. The problem is also compounded with some retailers selling a complete rubber hose from head to radiator with no solid pipe section. This is OK IF you fit an additional clamp around the hose to crimp it a little to retain the thermostat on the head outlet. If you don't, the thermostat can lift off the head outlet and flow will bypass the thermostat.

[Tony Smith]

Originally Posted by Tony Smith

That's a good point to remind us of, Lynn.

I think a lot of issues relating to overheating and the old argument of to have/not have a thermostat, don't put enough emphasis of the seating of the thermostat. (Just a rehash of the argument, there are people who have various schools of thought on keeping a Ford V8 cool; "no thermostat" to provide constant flow of coolant, "washer with a hole" to provide a constant flow, but keep it in the block a little longer, and "fit a thermostat" because that's how Henry made them.)

I like to fit a thermostat (160deg, for those who want to know), but it can only work like it's supposed to if it is snugly seated to the head outlet.

Ford designed these to have the metal radiator pipe fit down onto the thermostat and the hose to clamp it all in place. But modern practice is to have say 1/2" clearance inside the hose between the pipe and head, to allow the radiator pipe to flex a little to help aligning it to the radiator. The problem is also compounded with some retailers selling a complete rubber hose from head to radiator with no solid pipe section. This is OK IF you fit an additional clamp around the hose to crimp it a little to retain the thermostat on the head outlet. If you don't, the thermostat can lift off the head outlet and flow will bypass the thermostat.

BTW, We all know cooling the Ford V8 is all about Ignition Timing and not the Radiator, don't we?

[m606paz]

Thanks for all your comments!
I forgot the thermostat!!
Where? Inside botton pipe?

[Lynn Eades]

On top of the heads.
The purpose of the thermostats is to bring the engine quickly to operating temp. and to maintain a constant operating temp. in the interests of efficiency (minimum temp) and longevity. There are many that come up with reasons why not to run them, but those arguments are usually flawed.

[m606paz]

Thank you Lynn!

Any CMP flathead thermostat pic for share? Parts manual no have any drawing...

I found this from Google

[Jacques Reed]

Hi Mariano,

This is one I got many years ago. Pretty sure they are the correct ones. Fit nicely in the heads with the pipe holding it down as Tony mentioned.

Marked "Cleveland Ohio" "Made in USA" and a "6" and "41" which I would think are the date of manufacture.

Cheers,

[Jacques Reed]

Hi Mariano,

Here is some info straight from the Ford Special Pattern Vehicles Handbook.

Cheers,

[Tony Smith]

The images posted by Mariano and Jacques are of the original "Bellows" design thermostats. They fit snugly into the outlet of the head and don't pose much problems with shifting. But these are no longer manufactured in that style anymore, with only 2nd hand or NOS available, which may be 50 years or more in age.

The modern style of thermostat pictured below are all that are made these days, and can be specified in a wide range of suitable temperatures. However, without the cylindrical body of the Bellows type, they do not locate quite as well in the head outlet, and need some sort of physical restraint to stay put ON the outlet, otherwise they lift off and can allow coolant to flow past it.

[Lynn Eades]

Yes, these would have been correct, but!,... they are alcohol filled and more importantly, they usually fail in the closed position.
A more standard type (modern) wax type thermostat is more likely to fail in the open position (less likely to cook your engine) and I believe, are more reliable.
I bought thermostats for my carrier from a parts supplier that had a big selection of thermostats. Some cars use smaller dia. wax stat. They fit in the top hoses on top of the heads. Some guys cut down the bigger ones, but that looked a bit hard to me.
So, What I installed were Tridon (brand)TT203-180. Obviously 180 degree but they have worked fine. (the higher your operating temperature, the more efficient is you engine, as long as it is not overheating) They are 44mm in dia. and are used in a v6 Holden (VX, VY)