Manolet,
Most folks have blocked their TR3 and TR4 thermostat 'bypass port' with a 5
cent washer placed inside the bypass hose at the connection, to restore full
cooling capability.
The 'bypass port' is a great feature for COLD winter startups as it lets your
coolant go in circles, recirculating between water pump and motor - skipping
the radiator!
When the motor warms up, the proper 'sleaved' thermostat should block the
bypass port thereby directing coolant to the radiator for cooling.
Since proper 'sleaved thermostats' haven't been available for 35 years most
folks use the typical $4 sleave-less thermostats which work OK most of the time
- even though you are losing about 15% cooling capability lost to
recirculation through the open bypass port.
On hot days you need all the cooling capability your system was designed for
- if not more. The time tested 'cheap fix' for unavailability of sleaved
thermostats is to stick a washer in the bypass hose to restrict re-circulation
flow
through it by at least 75% - fulltime.
Recently, thanks to the vintage Jaguar market, there is now available new
aftermarket 'sleaved thermostats' that works perfectly with TR4s. It is $37.00
at Moss Motors or Jags Ltd.
Check to see if you have a 'sleaved' thermostat. And check the bypass hose to
see if it has a 'washer' stuck in it at the thermostat housing connection.
You need one or the other - a 5 cent washer or a 37 dollar thermostat.
Carl
'63 TR4 since '74
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