COOLING SYSTEM EFFECTIVENESS 2.0 LTR TYPE IV, Are the flaps necessary for proper cooling? Options

[OLAF]

Hello All,
I'm a newbe to the 914 World and am very impressed with the knowledge and support provided by everyone, members and vendors alike. I am restoring a rust free 71 914 I obtained out of Florida where it spent its life, 30 years of which, stored in a barn. The 2.0 Lt type IV had been "refreshed" by an engine builder while in Destin and he removed the cooling system components (flaps and thermostat etc) explaining that he didn't expect the car to need a warm up system in their year round warm climates.

I should add that the PO didn't make the car road worthy so I've no experience for or against the effectiveness of the cooling system. I've not yet fired up the engine myself as wiring efforts are still in process.

The car is now here in the Cleveland area and will only be used on warm summer days.

Without the cooling flaps system, I would expect the warm up period to be a little longer but I'm mostly concerned about over heating during the summer months.
Without the system in place, will I risk overheating with normal use?

Thanks in advance

[ConeDodger]

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While not necessary, removing it was just laziness IMO. The flaps should at least be there and closed.

When car manufacturers had department meetings, the engineers would say 'we need this' and the accountants would say 'it costs too much.' So, believe me when I say, if the engineers managed to out argue the accountants - it belongs there. Putting it on meant raising the cost or reducing the profit or both.

[brant]

You have to have the flaps
Anyone removing them is making a bad choice
It discredits the competency of the person who built your motor

1.7 engines were original to your year car

[rhodyguy]

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[McMark]

Absolutely necessary. The flaps in the 'off' position force air through the oil cooler. Without you're not getting full efficiency out of your cooler. Taking them out aids nothing. There is zero compelling reason to leave them out.

[Mark Henry]

You have to have the flaps
Anyone removing them is making a bad choice
It discredits the competency of the person who built your motor

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

As in the engine will burn up in short order.

You can delete the thermostat, but all the flaps, deflectors under the cylinders, engine tin with and holes plugged and seals must be in place for proper cooling.
Even deleting the thermostat is stupid and IMHO the mark of a lazy and/or hack engine builder.

[SirAndy]

While not necessary

Please don't say that, it's just plain wrong!

Without the flaps your oil cooler will not get any air forced through it, which is essential to cooling the engine.
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[rhodyguy]

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[OLAF]

Conclusion: You all feel the flaps are necessary for best cooling so I'll add them to the engine.
Thanks guys.

[TheCabinetmaker]

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While not necessary, removing it was just laziness IMO. The flaps should at least be there and closed.

When car manufacturers had department meetings, the engineers would say 'we need this' and the accountants would say 'it costs too much.' So, believe me when I say, if the engineers managed to out argue the accountants - it belongs there. Putting it on meant raising the cost or reducing the profit or both.

Really? Not necessary? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/bs.gif)

Edit: I had not read sir Andy's answer when I posted.

[stugray]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)

While not necessary, removing it was just laziness IMO. The flaps should at least be there and closed.

When car manufacturers had department meetings, the engineers would say 'we need this' and the accountants would say 'it costs too much.' So, believe me when I say, if the engineers managed to out argue the accountants - it belongs there. Putting it on meant raising the cost or reducing the profit or both.

Really? Not necessary? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/bs.gif)

Edit: I had not read sir Andy's answer when I posted.

When I was young & stupid, I rebuilt a 1.8 into a 2.0L and left out the cooling flaps completely.
Drove the car for many years, sometimes through death valley in the summer, never had an overheating problem.

So I believe that IF you leave the flaps out, the oil cooler will still get enough air flow.
Optimum - No, enough? - Must be....

It is possible (based on the geometry) that the cooler might get too MUCH flow, and the 3/4 head not enough if the oil cooler flap is missing entirely.

[Dave_Darling]

We have seen multiple cars with overheating issues that were solved by simply installing the cooling flaps.

Dunno how yours didn't overheat.

--DD

[SirAndy]

Dunno how yours didn't overheat.

Broken temp gauge?
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[Rand]

Rob, who hijacked your account? Better change your password. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[McMark]

When I was young & stupid, I rebuilt a 1.8 into a 2.0L and left out the cooling flaps completely.
Drove the car for many years, sometimes through death valley in the summer, never had an overheating problem.

So I believe that IF you leave the flaps out, the oil cooler will still get enough air flow.
Optimum - No, enough? - Must be....

It is possible (based on the geometry) that the cooler might get too MUCH flow, and the 3/4 head not enough if the oil cooler flap is missing entirely.

It may be true, but why add to the confusion? Why share this experience? As I mentioned above, taking them out aids nothing. There is zero compelling reason to leave them out.

[914_teener]

I am utterly flabergasted.....yes that.s the word.

Driving through Death Valley in the Summer....no cooling flaps...?

Was the targa top off too?

[stugray]

When I was young & stupid, I rebuilt a 1.8 into a 2.0L and left out the cooling flaps completely.
Drove the car for many years, sometimes through death valley in the summer, never had an overheating problem.

So I believe that IF you leave the flaps out, the oil cooler will still get enough air flow.
Optimum - No, enough? - Must be....

It is possible (based on the geometry) that the cooler might get too MUCH flow, and the 3/4 head not enough if the oil cooler flap is missing entirely.

It may be true, but why add to the confusion? Why share this experience? As I mentioned above, taking them out aids nothing. There is zero compelling reason to leave them out.

Oh no, the thought police!

It is an observation, I shared it.
What, are we not supposed to share our experiences with these cars if the information might be used for nefarious purposes?

(EDIT - I thought about this some more.... WTF?!?! So someone posts a thread about "DO WE NEED FLAPS" and I am supposed to shut the fuck up because MY opinion differs from yours???)

The FACT is that I drove my first 914 for >5 years without the flaps and never overheated even driving through very hot weather/regions.

Would I do it again? - No.

But if someone out there thinks: "Oh My GOD my car doesnt have the flaps, it will detonate if I try to drive it anywhere!" - I am here to say "Dont worry TOO much about it", while also saying "Dont do it on purpose".

AND I disagree with some of the "theories" that state "If you dont have the flaps you wont get ANY cooling through the cooler".
I think you will still get air through the cooler, just not in the proportion intended by the engineers.

[stugray]

Dunno how yours didn't overheat.

Broken temp gauge?
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Actually (related) once I got to LA, I upgraded the engine to 2.0L (still no flaps)
Then the temp gauge DID read too high.
Reduced CR, tried oil cooler - Didnt help.

REPLACED temp sender and temps were fine for 5 more years

Engine was always carbed, perhaps that makes a difference.

[ConeDodger]

While not necessary

Please don't say that, it's just plain wrong!

Without the flaps your oil cooler will not get any air forced through it, which is essential to cooling the engine.
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I'm referring to the 'system.' As I went on to say, the flaps need to be there and closed.

[McMark]

Hey, relax. Share your opinion, tell everyone. Make T-shirts. Doesn't matter to me. If it were my story though, I wouldn't mention it because it's just adds support to a bad decision, in my opinion.

But don't get your panties in a bunch. I don't think it's wrong. I don't think your stupid. PLEASE don't let my opinion cause you frustration. You shared your opinion on cooling flaps, I shared my opinion on cooling flaps. Everybody's winning here.

It's all cool man... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smoke.gif)