82 Degree Thermostat or 88C

[Stag Beetle]

I am looking for a new thermostat LD parts have this one


82 Degree Thermostat Kit FTK004

The Original Equipment Unipart GTS101 82 degree C thermostat is not now available so we offer this good quality alternative from First Line.
This has the foot and while it fits all Stags, some early inlet manifolds may function marginally better with a thermostat that does not have the foot.
Whilst we offer the FTK004 82C type, you may also wish to consider using an 88 degree C type FTK010K.
The 88C item keeps the engine nearer an ideal 95C operating temperature in Winter producing a decent heater, better fuel vaporisation, better fuel consumption, freer movement of engine parts due to thinner oil and less wear.
In summer, after the first few miles, in the Stag, the thermostat, whichever is fitted, seems to remain open all the time, unlike other cars where they open and close as you move forward thus regulating the temperature.

Therefore we believe the 82C type will not assist cooler running in summer as the overall design is such that the cooled coolant temperature will never get that low and will go where it will go.
The Radiator, the Fan, the Airflow and the Ambient temperature all try to control it and in many cars, in standard form, they succeed. However we know of many cases where cooling sysems upgrades have been installed to keep the operating temperature under control in hot weather. Ours is one as we have an electric fan that keeps the car from getting beyond about 100 degrees C.

What’s the forums thoughts on the above 82 or 88?

I have a Mk 1 not sure if the one fitted at the moment has a foot or not

Andrew

[Rubce]

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Hi

I fitted one of those LD stat with a boot on it to my 1971 Mark 1 last year. It did not stay on the car long as it caused the engine to overheat and the inlet hose to the thermostat housing to blow off Fortunately no permenant damage was caused. I promptly refitted the old stat without the boot.

See the thread that I started at the time of the incident.

http://stagownersclub.mywowbb.com/vi...ght=overheated

Cheers

Bruce

[DJT]

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Andrew,

You have to determine whether you have a Mk1 or Mk2 inlet manifold, as I said at the end of the thread refered to in Bruce's thread.

Some Stags with the Mk2 cooling system (i.e. pressure cap on expansion bottle, not radiator) were fitted with Mk1 manifolds. These need thermostats without the foot.

You can tell a Mk1 manifold as the hose connection to the thermostat housing is further forward and there are usually two raised stubs either side if the thermostat housing as per the picture.

If you have one of these, I would consider fitting a later one if you have to remove it for any reason. I did this with my Mk1 and this resulted in more stable temperature readings.

Dave

[mjheathcote]

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I have a capillary temperature gauge, which I tested before fitting, so is fairly accurate with its temperature readings.

I have a 82 stat, and in the summer have a running temperature of no more than 90 degree's C. I think a running temp of 95 is high personally.

Years ago I had a 74 stat, but that kept the temperature too cold, even in the summer, so I disagree that once the temperature is at running temperature the stat has no usage being fully open because the cooling system water temperature can not be brought lower than a 88 stat.

Also having a second temperature gauge in the offside head (also linked together)which can run 5 or more degrees hotter, if you have a 88 stat, and running 95, the offside might be running at over 100.

So personally the 82 stat is the one to go for, if you can get one.

[Stag Beetle]

imported post

Thanks for all the information guys, very useful to get information from owners rather than sellers and shows how a good forum should work.

Andrew