Cooling system Q's couple out of the norm

[fireplug]

Does anyone have the thread size for the drain holes in the block? I'd like to buy everything I need before the job, and I'd like to pick up a petcock for the holes.

I've heard mentioned a couple of times something about drilling holes in the thermostat. What is the deal with this? Is it sound advice?

Last one. I've got a stacked plate tranny cooler with inlets on the same side. What is the right orientation for these? UP or DOWN?

 

[roadnotca]

Does anyone have the thread size for the drain holes in the block? I'd like to buy everything I need before the job, and I'd like to pick up a petcock for the holes.

I've heard mentioned a couple of times something about drilling holes in the thermostat. What is the deal with this? Is it sound advice?

Last one. I've got a stacked plate tranny cooler with inlets on the same side. What is the right orientation for these? UP or DOWN?

Drain holes are 3/8 NPT I believe, because the plug measures 1/2 beyond the block. Holy thermostat? No way.

 

[fireplug]

Perfect thanks!

 

[badmix]

Ive heard of drilling holes in the thermostat housing for temp gauge, but you can buy a new housing for like 10bux. as far as hole in thermo, its pointless IMO.

 

[89yimmiJ]

Drilling holes in thermostat is done for multiple reasons. 1. Allows engine coolant to pass when thermostat is clogged. 2. On race cars and such, it allows you to purge the system of air faster, rather than just waiting for the thermostat to warm up and up. I don't recommend it on a daily driver unless you are in a warm climate where the thermostat doesn't matter much anyways. If you are considering drilling, use a small 1/16 bit and drill two holes. Moros also sells a restrictor kit which a lot of racers run rather than drilling the holes. 3. Thers other reasons, but i've forgotten them over the years.

 

[bp71k5]

I believe the drilling a hole(s) in the thermostat is in case the thermostat goes bad while it's closed. This allows some water to get through even though it's stuck. The drawback is the heater may not heat up as fast. But in places that are hot, it's not really a bad drawback.

 

[roadnotca]

I've heard mentioned a couple of times something about drilling holes in the thermostat. What is the deal with this? Is it sound advice?

In Toronto? Why? If you're running mud drags, you wouldn't have asked. Otherwise, leave it alone. Just put in 195* in Winter, and maybe 180* in Summer.
If you have the tools to drill a stuck thermo on the trail, you should have had a spare thermo instead.

 

[4X4HIGH]

The thread drain hole in the block are 1/4" NPT.

Drilling a hole in the thermostat is typically a race car thing on chevy's. Ford engines use a bypass hose as well as BBC's.

 

[fireplug]

Thanks for the responses.

Any input on the cooler IN/OUT lets?

 

[4X4HIGH]

I mounted my stack plate cooler just like the factory oil cooler with the lines aiming at the ground and it doesn't matter which is in or out.