Actually, the answer to your question is Yes and No. The thermostat does
help to maintain cooling , not by closing when it gets too hot, but by a
restriction to the water flow through the engine, thus allowing the transfer
of heat by the radiator.
If the water passes through the radiator too quickly, it retains too much
heat and consequently the return coolant is at an elevated temp. entering the
block, where it picks up more heat, etc, etc.
If you absolutely, positively have to run without a thermostat, (for
competition etc), replace the thermostat with a blanking sleeve or a gutted
thermostat to retain the restriction in the flow path, to allow the radiator
a chance to do it's job
Rick
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