Blackened 79

I've read both good and bad about going to a 160. Anybody have any thoughts either way ??? Some say it will do damage by running too cold.

mrvette

Over the years I have noticed the replacement t-stats have the same size openings in them, regardless of temp settings/ranges...and so on a warm day sure they may open earlier at say 160 vs 195, BUT the engine will still run at 195 and not cooler, I think this was done as an EPA thing with the stat makers....older stats from some years ago had larger openings at the 160 and 180 calibrations....and the 195 had smaller openings.....
today, I just run a restrictor ring from an old stat, and have done with it....
frankly I"m sick and tired of replacement stats hanging up in the closed position, had any/all of the makes do that fairly recently....

GENE

MELVIN

I thought switching out to a 160 thermostat would lower my engine temp to at least 180 or so. I am now running fuel injection, and the ECU will show you exact coolant temparature by a sensor placed right in the manifold, which reads coolant temp as it enter the water neck. On a 90 degree day, it reads about 193 on the highway, and fluctuates to about 198. I knew it wouldnt go down to 160, but I thought at least 180. Makes you wonder what a 190 thermostat runs at

Ganey

Yes, you don't want it too cool. Where you are you probably want to stay w/ 180. The temp. depends on the outside temp. & cooling system, etc..

http://performanceunlimited.com/illu...ons/img212.gif


Melvin

A BB generates a lot more heat than a SB.

aharte

If the rest of your cooling system is up to it, highway temps would go down to just over 160 with a 160 thermostat. If your current highway temp is significantly above your current thermostat setting, changing to another one won't help. The main functions of the thermostat are to allow the engine to warm up faster and to keep it from getting too cold once warmed up. The rest of the cooling system is there to keep the temps down. The thermostat doesn't have much to do with it.