BP Cylinder Head Thermostat Housing Location

[Atmo]

Hi guys,

As you would probably already know, in most instances the thermostat housing on an MX5 engine is located at the front of the cylinder head. However, I was doing an image search on Google for BP engines in a rear wheel drive configuration and came across these.

p2-1.jpg

Miata%20Engine.jpg

Given that the BP I have is originally from a front wheel drive, the thermostat housing is located on the back of the head - which I assume is where the water is being piped to on the above engines (please correct me if I'm wrong). I know on the old Ford 2 litre Pinto engines that number 4 cylinder is known for running hotter due to a lack of water flow around it, which is why modified engines usually run an additional water inlet at the back of the block with a take off from the water pump to help circulate the water. I was just wondering if BPs are known to suffer from a similar issue, hence explaining why the engines pictured are set up this way (i.e. to help promote even water flow across the engine)?

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

[Jeo]

Yes. Plenty have done the coolant reroute on the BP engine. Have a search around this very forum and I'm sure you'll find some.

[93_Clubman]

Indeed Simon, which is why a coolant reroute is done to some MX5 BPs - wazman did a good write-up of his DIY coolant reroute which mentions why he did it:

Time for coolant re-rout ??? Get rid of that hot spot........ its all i've been researching this week

viewtopic.php?f=76&t=40239

[Atmo]

Awesome, thanks guys - I suspected this might be the case. I'll remember to do a search next time!

[project.r.racing]

yeah the coolent re-route make the engines water circlulation system more like the lasers/astina route that the BP engines originally came out of. water goes in at the water pump and water goes out under the dissy/cas.