Thermostat or no thermostat?

I'll bet on some cold days, your thermostat never opens.... you're just trying to bleed a little air.. lol

I'm sure it does. My car rarely is driven on cold days, in fact it hasn't been out yet this year. It does take about 5-6 minutes to get to 180* on the gauge.

And I meant to say 1/4" holes, don't know why I put 3/8" in there.