Classic/Antique Car Repair: Auto Thermostats, ford specialist, thermostats

Question
This is Merv back again for some more info. You were great with all my other questions. I took my 1948 Merc. out for a little drive and about five miles from home it started to overheat so I headed back home, The temp. got to about 200 degrees. I drained all the antifreeze and flushed out the cooling system. I decided to look at the thermostats and foud one tipped sideways in the hose. I figure this is my problem so I decided to leave them out because I won't be running my car after sept. and I will not be needing any heater. My question is, will it be ok to run without thermostats? I should mention that there were two different kinds of stats, one was much smaller than the other. They were both 160 degree stats and the temp. held at that until it tipped in hose.

Answer
OK, I'm back on line again after 3 weeks of fire mess etc.

I don't advise running without the thermostat - that will cause more buildup of crud in the crankcase because the oil and metal parts won't be getting hot enough to evaporate the moisture etc.   Cars should run in the 160-200 range in all seasons, to keep things clean in there.

The one that tipped in the hose probably isn't the correct thermostat.  Did you get it from a known Ford specialist like C&Gs?   If not, maybe you'd better track down the right ones and put them back in.

Dick.