On a racing car, since the engine should be warmed up to optimal temperature
before the start of an event, the thermostat is unnecessary. Installation of
a blanking plate (actually, a sleeve) serves to eliminate one part that is
subject to potential failure, it also removes a partial blockage to the flow
of coolant through the system. The plate (sleeve) fills up the hole that was
made by the thermostat, and removes a possible source of cavitation and flow
disruption. In a street car, at street temperatures and uses, there is
probably very little advantage in cooling to removal of the thermostat.
Besides, they are a lot better now than when the blanking sleeve was first
introduced. In the olden days, thermostat failure was a fairly common
occurance, and if they failed in the closed position, it wasn't long before
the engine cooked.
> What is the benefit to race cars of installing a blanking plate instead of
running with a thermostat? Will such an installation help the engine run
at cooler temps. when street driving a non race MGA?
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