Hey guys I have been lurking for a while but now that I need help I figure it's a great time to get onboard!

So I am just about complete with the first stage of my truggy build.
Currently:
Early '83 22R running propane (motor runs well, yes it was free)
Regular cab (beat to hell) '86 with 4 runner springs up front and cheby 63's out back.
Duals with 4.7 to 1 out back
Hydro assit (home made)
worn out 37's

Now the problem is I have been through 2 faulty thermostats (yup cheap, ones) and now a tested and functioning new Toyota OEM (NOT dual valved) one. What happens is that with no thermostat in place flow is present and visible in radiator. With the tested new Toy one, I never see flow within the radiator, not even at 210 plus!!
My temp guage is after market but I know it is getting hot.

I have bled the system too many time to count, and even removed the "giggle valve" to allow for some premature flow, nothing is working. I will admit, I do not have the proper gaskets in place (on the housing) I am just making my own with ultra grey. I have no heater core in the truck and the lines to the vaporizer for the propane are just that, heater core lines, and that dude gets really hot I know hot coolant is flow to and from the vaporizer. I just cant get any flow past the thermostat with one in place.

I am wondering if not having the right gaskets, or space is not letting the thermostat open?
Or do I have this plumbed wrong?
Or could I have a water pump problem, which I have never seen one get weak only quit?

I hope this makes sense as tomorrow I plan to finish one flare on a rear brake line and get out on the trails snow bashing on Sunday!!

I will just go without a t-stat if need be!

Thanks

Pete

 

Nothing huh???

Guess I will risk my ass on pirate!

 

Did you test the new thermostat on the stove or hot plate so you no for sure if its opening? When its cold my junk doesn't like to open often. You can drill a small by pass hole in the t-stat if its that concerning, just took longer to warm up, wasn't bad it TX summer but sucked in WA winter mornings.

How's the temp gauge looking?

Welcome to YT

 

Thanks Muddpigg!
Yeah the new t-stat is the OEM Toyota from the dealership. I tested it this AM after it failed to open last night. I ran a NO t-stat test again this afternoon and got perfect flow through the radiator. I think the propane vaporizer and the potential for air bubbles/steam under the t-stat is not allowing it to open. The "heater core lines" as I have NO heater anymore, now serving as propane vaporizer lines are getting F'ing hot with ANY t-stat in the housing in conjunction with the t-stat NOT opening!
The "fellows" on Pirate think it is just not getting hot enough, so do I!
I removed the jiggle valve so I also have a 1/16 hole in the flange, but last night that still did not work! I think my aftermarket temp guage is working OK but I am reluctant to keep allowing my motor to reach 250!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't want to do a head gasket now.
I plan to go on a short "Madien Trip" tomorrow with out the t-stat as I don't want to ruin the motor!
Is it possible that the intake manifold is NOT allowing the t-stat to open. I am NOT running the stock "o-ring" as I think my housing is not original. There is NO way I could get the housing to seal with that o-ring without some other kind of gasket which none of the parts catalogs call for???

Later

pete

out to the shop to bleed the brakes......MUST WHEEL TOMORROW

 

It'll take forever to warm up with no t-stat and maybe to spring in cold weather. Is anything obstructing the t-stat from opening? I use gasket sealent on mine no issues.

 

That is what I am wondering, is the the manifold obstructing the t-stat??? I have never used anything but gasket sealent on mine either!

Really frustrating..................TESTED, FUNCTIONING, t-stat in place, no flow in radiator, at least until the guage says 250+ and I am really getting worried,
or.........................................NO t-stat and perfect flow in the radiator.

SOB

I will figure this out!

 

Park it on a hill to burp the system. Or drill a small hole in the t-stat.

 

Oh I plan to. I already removed the "jiggle valve" so I have the hole, now tomorrow 2-3 feet of Colorado snow, rocks, and a steep incline!

One way or another!

Thanks

Pete

 

Rock on.