Is your radiator old and rusted?  three blown engines sounds like you have a 
cooling system problem.  Also, you might want to try the lower temp fan 
switch available from Bus Depot, which will keep the van running cooler.  I 
think someone on the list made a manual fan switch that they could turn on 
when they anticipated a heavy load, like a long hill climb.  Sounds to me 
like removing the thermostat is a bad idea.
Peter
In a message dated 3/25/02 1:30:58 AM, zavlomja@EC-RED.COM writes:

<< I�ve managed to blow the engine three times in the past year so I would 
love
to not worry about heating!!!

Please take into account that Gertrudis has a carb, not FI ,and that heater
working is not absolutely necessary (maybe I can even tap it).

TIA

javier >>