Thermostats...........are they really needed?

[RICH MUISE]

Need some opinions. One of the things I'm wanting to fix/improve while the engine is out is my lower radiator hose. I've got a kinda water-slide configuration on the hose because of where the 2" lower radiator outlet is in relation to the 1 1/2 outlet off the thermostat housing.
Like everything else on the 4.6, things are more complicated, or at least different. For beginners, the thermostat housing is not bolted to the engine, as normal with an old school motor. It is connected via several rubber hoses to the engine side, so it kinda 'floats'. Also, just learned that the thermostat does not shut off all water going thru the radiator, only a portion of it. The block, heads, and heater system still circulate water thru the radiator when the engine is cold and the thermostat is shut. That explains the multiple coolant hoses I always wondered about.
One of the posibilities I'm looking at to make a more normal connection with the hose to the radiator, is replacing the thermostat housing with a simple copper tee.
There have been lots of discussions on the Hamb about whether or not a thermostat is really needed. I'm currently with  the group thinking that the only issue with not having a thermostat is that it takes longer for the engine to come up to operating temp. I'm not sure if what I said about the coolant never being totally shut off from the radiator on my car makes it less important to have a thermostat on my particular application vs. an old school motor.

[hiball3985]

I'm in favor of thermostats and won't go into a long winded reason why. On your type of set up I really don't know, but the engineers do. If it wasn't needed for some reason and Ford could save $2 it wouldn't be there..

[djfordmanjack]

Personally I am extremely PRO thermostats. with all the complicated motor management and sensors going on with your engine I would strongly recommend using factory setup. if the engine runs too cool, fuel injection management and with your engine I believe even valve timing will be affected.

Many people overlook, that an engine can run too cool and it really should operate at more or less a given temperature most all the time. this is extremely true for vintage engines. of course I am talking about street driven cars and living in an area with freezing to 90? weather.

[Thor]

Rich,
The thermostat needs to be included in your system. Its an integral and important part in the overall operation of a late model EFI engine. It actually regulates the engine operating temperature which helps optimize its operation. Honestly, it's just as important in a carbureted engine too. If your engine doesn't operate within a set temp range it creates issues with keeping fuel /air ratios consistent with a carb.

[RICH MUISE]

Thanks for the inputs, guys.....I guess it's You Nanny Muss. I'll leave it in. My engine, if the water temp gage is correct, at 195 probably runs too cool already.

[fdlrc]

I'm pro. For one: in certain cases the thermostat aids in efficiency by not allowing coolant to circulate faster than the radiator can exchange coolants heat.

[Ford Blue blood]

I have a fundamental philosophy when building a car/hot rod.  Those guys that figure out the stuff we use every day get paid a butt load of money to figure out how to make it work, last for 100K miles, and be as cheap as possible while doing it.  If they put it there, there is a reason for it being there.  All the "systems" I have transplanted from dailies to a build have been as complete as factory as possible. 
My 36 is a good example, been on the road since 1980, have 137K on it, never been on a flatbed or trailer since then (except the ride home after the right front tire blew up).  Every system on it is as close to the factory design as it can be.  I lovingly call it "my junk yard special" as there are no after market parts on it.  Just have to remember the donor to replace stuff as it wears out...:<)

Run the T-stat, they put it there for a reason.

[Tom S]

I'm another yes vote. For old or new engines thermostats really are needed. You want the engine to warm up & cool off quickly.