If you take the radiator to a shop, spend the $150-200 for a recore (upgrade to
a three core vice two core), you won't be sorry.
BTW, removing the thermostat actually increases coolant temperature vice
decreasing it. This is a somewhat complicated fluid flow problem but the basic
deal is the radiator cools by convection (temperature difference to 5/4 power)
and the engine heats by conduction (difference in temperatures). So the
radiator is a more efficient cooler than the engine is a heater (provided the
radiator and fan system is in good shape!) Removing the thermostat means a
constant flow system and consequently the radiator has no time to remove the
heat in the coolant before sending it back to the engine. End result is
coolant temperature rises. This can be somewhat mitigated by ambient
temperature (i.e. below about 40F conduction will keep the engine cool enough)
while above 50F, you stand a real chance of overheating when you remove the
thermostat. Leave the thermostat in (or buy a new one, they are cheap) the
system was designed to use it and it should not be removed.
-- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mike Fisher
fisher(at)tomahawk.dst.battelle.org "The leader has a sense of humor. He is not a stuffed shirt. He can laugh at 614/424-3620 himself. He has a humble spirit." 614/424-3918 (FAX) If I knew what I was doing, it wouldn't Battelle be research. 505 King Avenue Columbus, OH 43201-2693 "In science we can't let some guy from Podunk have the same vote as Fermi."
'93 Volvo 940 Turbo Wagon (for mom and the kids) '85 Jetta GLI (to get me to work) '68 Sunbeam Alpine Series V B395017314 (just for fun) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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