Quote Originally Posted by 34_40 View Post
I know you'll dis-agree with me and that's alright. I'll just offer you this.
If you installed a new thermostat and it looked like the top one,
then I'd suggest you should replace it.
With one like the bottom one.
The first one is a "poppet" style, the second is a "sleeve" style.
The poppet simply opens then closes, whether it needs to be fully open or not. The sleeve style opens slower but modulates more evenly and can hold a more even temperature. It can also outflow a poppet style thermostat. If you went to a local auto part store and picked up any old thermostat for 4 or 5 bucks...
Then you got a poppet style and got what you paid for.

Consider this, Bucket T rods have completely exposed motors. Using your idea as a guide, they'd never build temperature and that simply isn't the case. Your radiator is very efficient, you have good airflow through it. Your thermostat is simply sending to much coolant to it.

As I said, I know you'll disagree and that's ok. It's your car and your money. I can only offer my opinion and experience.

No disagreement, the information is very helpful. I never knew this.

So I don’t use “pep-boys” parts. I typically order the parts from Summit or Jegs.


The thermostat is an edelbrock 8605. Now being as it is called a high performance t-stat I would have presumed it would be like what you show as the second one, but in fact it looks like the first one, so I’m guessing rebranded Chinese made ‘pep-boys’ stant or similar part.

It appears that the only type summit sales that look like your second one, is from “mr. gasket”.


Being the carburetor is still having issues after the rebuild, I am replacing it, so I will order the suggested one and go from there, thank you for the info.