Reproduction Parts for 1916-1964 Chevrolet Passenger Cars & 1918-1987 Chevrolet & GMC Trucks



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#457733 05/23/21 02:16 PM
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put a 56-235 in my 50 engine overheats with 180 thermostat pull 180 out and run it with out any thermostat at all no overheating problems at all am using original radiator with the bottom hose adapter to use the larger 235 hose the upper hose is the one from the 216 using the top half of the 50 housing like patricks swap said to do should i be running the original 1950 216 engine 160 degree thermostat to lower the temp to get the thermostat to open sooner or just run it without a thermostat which is not the way to do things thanks for any info andy

Filling Station - Chevrolet & GMC Reproduction Parts


Filling Station


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You need to drill a by pass hole in the 180.


Gene Schneider
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If what Gene advises doesn't fix it, then get a new quality thermostat. I think maybe yours is stuck. It should be open completely at 180 degrees and thus have nothing to do with the over- heating. dance

You can test yours by putting it in a small pot and see what it does when the water reaches 180 degrees. Be sure to ask the missus's luv2permission before using her range, pot and thermometer.

Good luck with it and getting permission. These things can't be taken for granted. Can't neither!

Best,

Charlie computer

Last edited by 41specialdeluxe; 05/23/21 08:05 PM.
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i hope this doesnt seem stupid where do i drill the bypass hole

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A small hole in the main disc. Most already have one to let out air but yours may not have one, it is a bit to small or it is not opening as it should.


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This week I installed a 160 thermostat in my ”˜37. I drilled a 1/8” diameter hole in the flange. That hole lets the air bleed out of the water jacket in the block and head as you fill the system.

If you do not have that bleed hole there is only air in the head. That air will not transfer enough heat to the thermostat to make it open. So the engine overheats.

I agree that driving without a thermostat is not a good choice. Unless it is a really hot day the engine will never get hot enough to perform well.

With the 160 thermostat my car runs about 170 at the gauge sender at the rear of the head. The thermostat housing is about 160. This is normal because the back of the head and block typically runs hotter due to the way the water circulates. At a stop light with the engine at idle the temperature will rise to just over 180 and then immediately drop back to 170 when I start driving.


Rusty

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thank you both for the information will do that today and see what happens thanks again

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What water pump are you using,the 56 pump sits lower then the 50 and is longer requiring some modifications to the radiator to fit.


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old post addition --- am using a short shaft water pump and went to a 17 " fan that about 1 1/2 bigger then the stock 50-216 moved the radiator out so that the fan would clear


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