AFTER TALKING TO THE GUYS AT WCCC, I PURCHASED A NEW ALUM. RADIATOR AND THE RESTRICTOR PLATE TO REPLACE THE BYPASS LOCATED UNDER THE THERMOSTAT. WHAT A DIFFERENCE! I TOOK THE COUGAR UP A LONG UPHILL MOUNTAIN ROAD AND IT NEVER WENT ABOVE A THIRD OF THE TEMP GAUGE. I HAD TO USE A PRY BAR TO REMOVE THE EXISTING BYPASS PLATE AND USED A SOCKET AND EXTENSION TO PRESS FIT THE NEW ALUM. RESTRICTOR PLATE IN.NOW THE ENGINE STAYS NICE AND COOL.

This part does exactly what it is supposed to.

managed to remove original restrictor plate with 2screwdrivers, and install this new plate without issues.

 

I've owned a 1971 Mach 1 Mustang 351C 4V for 20 years now and have dealt with overheating and high temps that long. The water restrictor plate seems to have taken care of the high temps. Even after shutting the engine down to heat soak it cools readily when restarted. The restrictor plate it a little tricky to install but if time is taken, it fits like the original part. If you are driving a 351C powered Ford I highly recommend this part! Thanks West Coast Classic Cougar!

My 1970 XR-7 M-Code was having all kinds of strange cooling problems, too cold on the highway, and nearly boiling over in traffic. I tried all the classic remedies, installing a heavy duty radiator, new water pump, several different 351C thermostats, and flushing engine several times. It still had the same problems. Then I bought this $20 piece of aluminium and a stock 180°F Windsor thermostat. Fixed everything! Now, you would never believe there had ever been a cooling problem. The temp gauge stays at "straight down" in all modes of operation, hard acceleration, cruising and idling in the hot sun. After parking it will of course rise a few degrees in temperature, but it pulls right back down immediately after firing the engine up again.



I am left with only one question; What were those Ford engineers thinking?



This is a very cheap and easy to install insurance against overheating. Recommended!



Tip for installation:

I drilled 3 holes, about 4mm each, along the edge of the Windsor thermostat in order to avoid static water in the engine during warm-up. This restrictor plate will practically remove the bypass that sends coolant back to the engine when cold. The coolant then has nowhere to go during warm up and there is a risk of hot spots.

My '72 XR7 has a 351C that was running way to hot for my liking. I tried all the usual fixes and upgrades with moderate results. This $20 restrictor plate did the trick, easily at least 20 degrees cooler now. I wish I had done this sooner.

Product fit perfect, no issues at all. Total installation time was less than an hour.

My Cleveland always ran hotter than i liked, replaced Brass restrictor plate with new plate & used Windsor 160 deg thermostat , now seems to run cooler.

73 mustang 351c 4v, dropped my running temp 15degrees. Much better deal than other options

I swapped a Cleveland into my 88 Mustang GT and found it was not quite cooling like I thought it should be. I researched and found out about the "hat" issue on the thermostat. I had the correct thermostat but there is no way it was sealing off like its suppose to be. I again researched and located this modification and purchased it. Removal of the OEM part was easy with a large set of channel locks and installation of the reviewed part was easy. I just placed it in the machined hole then took a large socket at tapped it in with a hammer. It fit correctly the first time. No modifications needed at all. Just top it off with a Windsor thermostat and your ready to rock.

I run a 351C on a circle track and I was seeing temperatures up to 260 degrees. The first time I ran this plate, it stayed around 220 degrees. 40 degree difference is great considering how hard I'm driving the car. Plus it was easy to install. I left it in the freezer overnight and punched it in with a big socket and extension. Great product!