Thermostat help

[Deleted User]

I don't have a thermostat in the housing on top of the head on my 51 Super-Six. NAPA lists two for a 54 Hudson but none for the 51. Will the 54 thermostat work in my 262 motor or do I need something special? One is a 180 degree and the other is a 160.



I flushed my engine and radiator and lots of dirty rusty water came out, but it flowed right out and cleared up so I am assuming I don't have any blockages so I am hoping but flushing that crap out and adding a thermostat to slow the flow down a little I should be able lick my overheating issue right?



Also any recomendation on what coolant to use and what coolant/water ratio with an old motor like this, or will "as per directions" on coolant bottle be good?



Herb

464Saloon

Should be the same for 232 to 308 me thinks. Not having a thermostat will allow the water to pass through too quickly not giving it time to absorb the heat from the motor and dissapate it in the radiator. 50/50 mix is usually best all the way around. You can go with more water to cool better but you lose your boiling and freezing points. Also your rust protection. Too much coolant and you won't absorb and dissapate enough heat.

nick s

i'm pretty sure the thermostat is not a napa item. it may be the jet thermostat that they still have available. the correct thermostat will look llike this one.

Unknown

have new old stock ones at 10.00 ea plus shipping, albrights hudsons@msn.com

Unknown

ndustrl wrote:

I don't have a thermostat in the housing on top of the head on my 51 Super-Six. NAPA lists two for a 54 Hudson but none for the 51. Will the 54 thermostat work in my 262 motor or do I need something special? One is a 180 degree and the other is a 160.



I flushed my engine and radiator and lots of dirty rusty water came out, but it flowed right out and cleared up so I am assuming I don't have any blockages so I am hoping but flushing that crap out and adding a thermostat to slow the flow down a little I should be able lick my overheating issue right?



Also any recomendation on what coolant to use and what coolant/water ratio with an old motor like this, or will "as per directions" on coolant bottle be good?



Herb

Check your timing as well!

Park_W

A 50-50 solution, the thermostat and "Water Wetter" or equivalent has overcome the problem for a lot of folks.