Zetec thermostat housing? (Again)

[jasongray5]

Hi guys,
Is there any reason why I shouldnt put a small hole in my actual thermostat, and then block off the heater and bypass? I know a few people have done this, and I think it would tidy up the engine bay abit?
Thoughts please guys
Cheers Jas

[davedew]

Jas,

I am not sure if you would get enough flow of water through the engine with the bypass pipe blocked off. Any flow you get through a small hole in the thermostat will be through the radiator and cooling the water.

I know the zetec's like to run the oil a bit hotter to get it thin and lubricate better, but you have got to get the balance of correct cooling verus overheating right to prolong the life of the engine.

Cheers

Dave

[flyerncle]

Some thermostats have what they call a jiggle pin in the rim to allow a slight bypass and to vent air.

All the Rover K series head gaskets I have replaced got some holes drilled in the stat and caused no problems.

We are in the process of fitting a Zetec from a Ginetta G20 race car to the Roadster and Spud has a blog on his website,it shows the stat housing on the rear of the engine,the top hose metal pipe has a small vent pipe that returns to the header tank.

[jasongray5]

Cheers for the replies guys!
I have found out, with the raceline water rail, there is no bypass, but a 2mm hole drilled into the thermostat to act as a bypass when the engine is cold.
I know that the 2 small outlets on the standard house do the heater and the bypass, and that the small one on top is an air bleed! So, tomorow, The stat is coming out, a 2mm hole going in, and the heater and bypass are getting blocked! Unless thats not going to work either
Cheers again guys!
Jas

[flyerncle]

Once you are sorted you need flow return to the top of the header tank,if you do not have this you have no circulation and it will overheat.

[jasongray5]

Oh? My plan was the header tank was going to have an outlet into the bottom hose, and the little air bleedy thingy, to the top of the header tank bleedy thingy?
Then from the main pipe of the stat, to the top of the rad, from the bottom of the rad, to the water pump? with the header outlet plumbed into the bottom hose?

[TSM Locost]

Hi Jas.

Oh? My plan was the header tank was going to have an outlet into the bottom hose, and the little air bleedy thingy, to the top of the header tank bleedy thingy?
Then from the main pipe of the stat, to the top of the rad, from the bottom of the rad, to the water pump? with the header outlet plumbed into the bottom hose?

That is how mine is and no probs, stayed cool even on the rollers at Emerald last winter.

[jasongray5]

Cheers Mike,
Do you run the bypass or have a little hole in the stat?

[TSM Locost]

Just blanked off both heater pipes at the back of the stat ( inlet side )and the large hose from the stat to top of rad, small hose next to it to the bottom hose and the small bleed on top of the stat to the top of the expansion tank. silver top 94 2.0 lt engine. not even had stat out.

[flyerncle]

Should have been more clear,exactly as Mike said .