Has anyone had any experience with removing the spring and piston from a thermostat and then installing it? Theory is that with the spring and piston removed you will still have the correct flow, while never worrying about the thermostat going bad. The only drwback is warm up up time may take a little longer.

Cliff

They make them. Mr Gasket and the likes. Usually come in a 3 pack with different size holes for different amount of flow. 1/2", 3/4" and 1" id's if I recall. Look like nothing more than washer.

Like was said, they make water restrictors for just this thing
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MOR-63440/

It depends on what engine you have and whether or not you need them though. No reason to run anything but a Tstat on stock or close to stock engines.

in most cases the engine would run to cold...mine did before I added a bypass and therm to my crossover..

Yeo, restrictors. If you need to build some heat & running without a tstat is not working. They can & do work, but you will have to play with them to find the one that will work the best in your application. J

They not only effect engine temp, but also water pressure. I wouldn't experiment with restrictors w/o gauges for both.

I use a Stewart high flow that has bypass holes in it so it will respond faster. I also use a Stainless Marine Crossover. I boat in Lake Huron and surrounding rivers and inland lakes, the water temperature can be as much as 40 degrees different from one to the other, no problems, engine runs 150 provided the lake is warmer then 40.

Ditto!!!! You may get the temp your lookin for, but water pressure could be off the charts. Definately need a pressure gauge.

I may try that thermostat myself. I have had trouble getting the engine up to temp when the water is cold.

Make sure you have a bleed hole in whatever thermostat you run. Some of the auto thermostats do not. You need the hole to purge the air out of the tstat housing.

MC