On Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:16:21 -0400, Gene
wrote:

On Wed, 01 Jul 2009 03:06:30 GMT, "Mike Slater"
wrote:


"Gene" wrote in message
. ..
On Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:34:36 GMT, "Mike Slater"
wrote:

I am not trying to stir anything up by asking this question, but because
the
water cooling passages are by design so narrow in the vicinity of the
thermostat on my 1995 Merc 60hp 2-stroke Bigfoot, and small debris was
constantly lodging itself on the waterpump/impeller side of the thermostat
I
decided to just run without it. I have been doing it for two seasons now.
I measured the water temperature at the powerhead with a laser unit at
about
90 degrees. I am getting ready to advise that my neighbor do the same
thing
and I just wanted to hear some comments first. What will it hurt?

Mike

Ask yourself: why is there a thermostat, anyway?
--

I have been working on engines for 30+ years and I know what purpose
nearly every part was designed to serve. Your response was basically
worthless. But thanks for trying to stimulate my brain.

OK. A properly functioning thermostat sets the minimum operating
temperature for an engine. Warming an engine quickly to the optimum
temperature and holding it there reduces engine wear, deposits,
emissions, and improves fuel mileage.

You are doing yourself or your engine no favor by running without a
thermostat.

Might also have some impact on cooling system corrosion/erosion and
pump wear. That thermostat, even when open, is quite a restriction to
coolant flow. Not sure if that is a design consideration.

--Vic