Should you run a car without a thermostat?

67Dart273,

I'm only going to respond to you one time here, and it's mainly because of your request for the "obvious" (i.e. any backyarder should be able to understand this - but you're one of those argumentative types that would rather hurl invectives than to check it out for yourself).

Do this for me:

On a small block mopar, look at your intake manifold, specifically where the thermostat resides. If you look closely, you'll also note that the upper radiator hose is attached to the top (discharge) side of the intake manifold. This is where hot water is returned to the radiator for cooling based on thermostatic value. Now suppose for a moment that hole was completely blocked off...

Now you tell me, where does the water go when you block this passage ?

Do the same on a big block water pump housing, which is where the thermostat is located. It's the same scenario.

I've got a 16 yr old nephew that fully understands this concept, but you want...engineering diagrams...?

What exactly do you do for a living...?

Southernman