zephyr thermostats, yes or no?

[Beltfed]

Do you guys run thermostats in your v-12's? I took my hoses off yesterday to get after my water pumps and didn't find any. Thanks

[C. Douglas Johnson Jr.]

I don't in my 38 and have no issues

[Mssr. Bwatoe]

they help to heat the engine for cold weather operation...most water cooled engine run best at certain temps, these

help to maintain that...but, Factor in less than ideal radiator and cast iron rusted block, questionable heads and gaskets

so some of us do not install them, they added about 10 degrees to mine on 90 degree day hard highway run..plus the fact they

are all old, most nos are really used... try the old boiling water on the stove trick, see what temp they actually open. Be sure to check in the wp holes for brass baffles..to help push water to back cylinders..

[Beltfed]

Got the water pumps off yesterday for rebuild. Boy, those bolts were a 'bugger' to get to. Didn't find any baffles.

[peecher]

Don't believe they started using the baffles until '41? The blocks were changed a little in 1940 to accomodate bigger impellers on the water pumps. Many times the baffles were discarded when the engines were rebuilt.

[Beltfed]

I'm going to leave them off for two reasons then. 1. They hard to find and expensive. 2. I live in the south-east and will only drive it in warm weather. Thanks everyone.