The heater flaps are designed to "fail open" that is, if the thermostat or cable
breaks or no thermostat is installed, the flaps are held open by a spring, thus
enabling cooling air flow.

To check your flaps, note the position of the little lever on the fan housing to
which the thermostat cable attaches: it should be pointing straight up when the
engine is fully warmed up or with no thermostat installed. In this position, the
cooling flaps are fully open. If NOT in this position when warmed up (or all the
time if no thermostat installed), you may be running hot.

Dan

Matthew Libby & Denise DeWolfe wrote:

> How can I check to make sure the flaps are open?
>
> Thanks,
> Matt
>
> Daniel Schmitz wrote:
> >
> > Can't say for sure if warm body panels after an hour are normal, but they
> > could be if you are in a hot environment.
> >
> > With regard to timing, retarded or advanced timing can cause an increase in
> > engine temps, especially the former. Assuming your cooling flaps are fully
> > open when the engine is warmed up, you might verify that your ignition
> > timing is correct. If not, you should fix this before leaving.
> >
> > Dan
> >
> > Matthew Libby & Denise DeWolfe wrote:
> >
> > > I need to get a cylinder head temp gauge, but alas I leave for a trip of
> > > great length tomorrow so...
> > >
> > >   When I shut Skippy off he stays hot for hours, the body panels in the
> > > rear are hot for at least an hour.  Normal?  And can off timing affect
> > > how hot my air cooled runs?
> > >
> > > thanks,
> > >
> > > Matt & Nise
> > >
> > > 81 ASI Riviera "Skippy 2"