Does anyone know exactly what the thermostat bypass does in the 348Challenge cars? Like can anyone post diagram of how water flows? Thanks!
I can't help secifically.. but FYI... 360C dont use a thermostat at all, (and I've never seen an overheating or overcooling problem).... and curiously, Michelotto put thermostats in the 360GT cars.... but again... I've never seen a problem either way..... I guess it's prudent to service the thermostat, but don't lose sleep over re-engineering a basically sound system.
Actually, in the 308's I remember something funny that you had to run a Tstat because there were extra pathways to the waterflow that did not get water if the t-stat was removed. I did not know if the 348 was this way. Since I race only I'm just trying to take out all potential failure points. So I was thinking of removing the t-stat entirely but did not know if I needed it for some reason. From the look of it I should be able to remove it. It is so much easier and neater to remove it while my engine is out.
If you just remove the 348 thermostat, the water will circulate primarily inside the engine, with very little water making it through the radiators.
It's just a plug mine had one in it when I bought it. I had the mechanic take it out so I don't know the exact configuration, but I believe you need the plug. Easily removed with the engine in the car. I don't theink you can just remove the thermostat. I will take picutres tomorrow if anyone is interested. I will let anyone have it if they want.
Post the pic Rich. Chubba, you do need the thermostat, or the plug. If you take the thermostat out, and don't plug the bypass hole, then the water won't flow right to the radiators. It will be flowing back to the engine, and to the radiators, at the same time. So you won't be getting the cooling that you need. The last time I had my engine out I was looking at the feed/return pipe on the top of the water pump. If I'm remembering correctly, the plug has something to do with the return passage to the pump. But I can't recall off hand if it's the one from the radiator feed tubes, or the crossover pipe under the plenum?
Rich may be sending me his plug. If he does I'll post a picture of it in and out of my engine. Then we can figure what it actually does. Perhaps it is to plug the passage to the heater core. If so there is an easier way to do that. I guess I'll have to think about it and figure out where all the water is flowing.
Ok, I pictures of the plug. I sent it out in the mail today to FBB. I stopped and talk to my mechanic. The plug shuts off the bypass flow. Similar to if the termostat is opened. If you simly just remove the thermostat part of the flow will be though the bypass and you will not have efficeint cooling. Just what Ernie said The pictures are kinda blurry, but you remove the thermostat and this threads into the block just below the thermostat housing. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Hey FBB, If Rich wants to keep his plug let me know I got the one out my water pump housing, put my thermo back in. It's a threaded plug so you will have tap your housing so it will stay put. Ferrari uses a 2 way thermostat the lower part of the stat acts as a plug, when it opens(the stat) it pushes the plug part of the stat to fill the passage allowing coolant to flow to the radiators. When the stat closes it pulls the plug out of the passage and allows the pump to circulate coolant thru the engine. When you insert the plug (threaded one) it allows the pump to always allow coolant to circulate thru the radiators. I know that isn't the best explaination but if you have seen 348/355 stat you know what I am talking about, let me know on the plug I am fairly sure I kept mine. Regards, Vern
Thanks guys and Dr. T. Vern I'm going to wait for Dr T's piece the report back on this thread and try to write up a flow diagram for the cooling through this section of the motor. 3 more months until great Montana fly-fishing for me. How is your snow pack this year?
