Reply to "Aluminum Water Pump Issue"

Marlin, I'm stupid sometimes so help me with a few more questions.

The existing thermostat has been in there for 10 years. The restrictor plate at least as long. I have never and I mean never had a cooling problem. No leaks, no wet gaskets, no drips, no temp gauge fluctuation, no nothing. I drive hard and put many miles on the cat each year and have no problems. Nada. Zip. I've never broken down in 10 years. This temp variance started last summer. So if the restrictor plate was the reason the tstat got damaged then it took 10 years.

As for the rust, I use at least 50/50 Prestone and demineralised water. Probably more like 60 Prestone / 40 water. The system is drained annually and is clean and green. No discolouring. It looks brand new when I drain it! There is no debris or rust in the liquid I drain, nor in the coolant lines, hoses, tanks or rad. So yeah, I was pretty freaked out by what I saw when took the tstat out. I'll clean it up before closing it up again. But there was no indicator of any problem - no residue or moisture around the pipe or gasket when I opened it up. The front of the engine was as clean as the back!

As for shockng the heads warming up, if it's causing trouble there are no signs during the past 10 years. No oil or water leaks anywhere. Heads are clean and sweat and drip free.

So now what do you suggest?

1- Put back the same type of tstat
2- Replace it with the Robert Shaw
3- Remove the restrictor plate altogether
4- Drill out the center of the plate
5- Drill some small holes in the plate and the hat in the Robert Shaw

Thanks for the help.