Thermostat

[Quadromaniac]

Do I really need to use a thermostat here in Phoenix, Arizona, very hot summers. The thermostat housing in my 53 Allstate 6 cylinder is missing the thermostat adapter I have one for the 4 cylinder, but do not want to remove the water neck on the 6 to see if I can use it unless I have to. Any information is appreciated

[Fid]

A little info, the 4 adapter / retainer will not work in the 6 as you probably already know.  The one used on the HJ 6 is the same one used  on '37-'54 Pontiac 6 & 8 cyl.
It's this one -

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-37-54-Pontiac-Thermostat-Water-Outlet-Retainer-GM-500171-53-52-51-50-49-48-/301005792692?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item461557e5b4&vxp=mtr

Heck, it looks like it's even less $$ from www.kaiserwillys.com-

http://www.kaiserwillys.com/product/177/willys-jeep-cooling-thermostats-parts-accessories

As far as whether or not a thermostat is needed, I'll defer that question to someone more knowledgeable about that than I.

[BigDave LM6174]

I am in Los Angeles, and my 51 Kaiser has no thermostat.  Dunno if my Henry J has one or not.  I would talk to some of your local old car guys and get their opinions.

[Quadromaniac]

Thanks for the information. I am going to try it for a while without the thermostat.

[kaiserfrazerlibrary]

If the cars are not driven in colder weather (50F or under) I have found thermostats are not needed.  One of their main functions was to constrict return flow into the radiator to heat up the water quicker for heater/defroster units in winter.

[retired wrench]

 Thermostats were first used in trucks pulling the mountains. They would heat up pulling up then when they started down they would cool quickly and crack the blocks.Also in some cases with the thermo removed the coolant will flow too fast to get cooled in the rad. and they will overheat. So there is more to a thermo than running the heater. Your call.

[BigDave LM6174]

Did you remove the thermostat?  How is the car doing without it?