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Author
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Topic: Should I use a 160 degree thermostat or 180?
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BaLleRz68
Gearhead Posts: 113
From: Bay Area, CA
Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 12-18-2002 09:11 PM
 
Which one is better to use for my 67 c-code? What are the the benefits? What are the cons? Any thoughts are appreciated. THanks.
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Jeff
Gearhead Posts: 306
From: Moore, OK USA
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 12-18-2002 09:37 PM
quote:
Originally posted by BaLleRz68:
Which one is better to use for my 67 c-code? What are the the benefits? What are the cons? Any thoughts are appreciated. THanks.
180 degree. Normal operating range for gasoline engines is 180-195 degrees. Operating below this range causes poor heater performance, poor atomization of fuel and loss of power. Car is likely to stumble for a lot longer on cool days. A thermo operating anywhere in this range will not impact the capacity of your cooling system to cool your engine. Never run engine without thermostat or restrictor or coolant may not do its intended job.
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rm302 boss
Gearhead Posts: 680
From: Austin Texas
Registered: Dec 2002
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posted 12-18-2002 10:26 PM
quote:
Originally posted by BaLleRz68:
Which one is better to use for my 67 c-code? What are the the benefits? What are the cons? Any thoughts are appreciated. THanks.
In the bay area you might stick to a 185-190. Jeff is right, you want to stay as close as you can to a normal opp temp of 200. According to EG&G (( the people who do all that oil and parts testing for the big three))Engine wear is at its least at 200 and performance is at its over all best.
Rene
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Rory McNeil
Gearhead Posts: 1889
From: Surrey, B.C. Canada
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 12-19-2002 04:16 AM
Although a newer FI engine may run better at higher coolant temps, I`ve never had a carbed V8 performance type car that didn`t run its best at cooler temps. I run 160 thermostats in my "toy" vehicles, that see some street/drag strip duty. On my 302 Fairmont, if I drive it in cold winter weather, I will swap in a 180 Tstat for the winter, but in the warm weather, it likes the cooler coolant temps.------------------
78 Fairmont 428 4 speed 10.20@130mph
80 Fairmont 302 5 speed 12.8@105mph
85 Mustang NHRA Stocker under construction, 302 5 speed
59 Meteor (Canadian Ford) 2 dr sedan 332, auto
74 F350 ramp truck 390 4spd
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indyphil
Gearhead Posts: 3394
From: Senoia, G.A. USA
Registered: Jul 2002
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posted 12-19-2002 09:11 AM
I wouldnt mind betting that on a dyno a 160 stat will make a little more power, based on charge density, but...
if you block off the exhaust crossover passage in the intake you get the the same effect and...
with the colder stat your heater wont work as well etc....
colder engines (whether you go with blocked exh passages or low t-stats) will burn more fuel and wear out faster, its usually considered a mod for weekend cars or racers.If you already have blocked off the intake passage or dont have one (racy intakes dont even have them) you have already cooled the charge down a lot, a cooler thermostat might help some more, but how much is the heater worth to you?
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Moneymaker
Administrator Posts: 29200
From: Lyons, IL, USA
Registered: May 99
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posted 12-19-2002 09:46 AM
Todays fuels cause the engines to run warmer as it is. I would highly recomend a 160 thermostat for daily usage in your area.  ------------------
Alex Denysenko
Co-Administrator and Moderator NHRA/IHRA/SRA member and licensed Superstock driver
MCA member# 53321
NHRA and IHRA SS/LA National Record Holder '00, '01, & '02
Fleet of FoMoCo products including 88 ASC McLaren Mustang #28
Professional Manwhore
The Barry of BarrysGrrl Quote #1: "I never met a magazine mechanic I liked."
Quote #2: "Make sure brain is in gear before engaging mouth!"
Quote #3: "If you can't run with the big dogs, stay on the porch!"
www.moneymakerracing.com
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69 Sportsroof
Gearhead Posts: 2814
From: Valley, Alabama, USA
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 12-19-2002 11:05 AM
I thought low engine temp was bad for oil circulation... 
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steve'66
Gearhead Posts: 9835
From: Sonoma,CA,USA
Registered: Mar 2000
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posted 12-19-2002 11:17 AM
I vote 160 degree also for the bay area winter or summer.  SteveW
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cobravenom71
Gearhead Posts: 1349
From: Poinciana, Fl USA
Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 12-19-2002 01:09 PM
It has always been my experience that a vintage, carb'd engine always makes more power when it is cool.
I have always run 160's, but I do a lot of hiway driving, so everything gets a good chance to stay consistently warm for a reasonable amount of time.
If I did a lot of short trip city-driving in cold climates, I might consider a 180 or higher.------------------
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GypsyR
Journeyman Posts: 53
From: SC
Registered: May 2002
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posted 12-20-2002 01:22 AM
Smokey Yunick ran a LOT of dyno tests fooling with every variable you can think of, including thermostats.
He stated for the best"overall thermodynamic efficiency" a temperature right about 200F is best. (Read "O.T.E." as POWER.)
Please note that Smokey was most involved with GM stuff and NASCAR type racing, but he laid hands on all kinds of engines. Including a couple of late 60's Mustang TransAm cars Ford sent to him.
I run none other than a 180 in a carbed car.
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stang106
Gearhead Posts: 786
From: God's Country!... Port Alberni B.C. Canada
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 12-20-2002 02:58 AM
I use a 160 on the street, but the car had faster track times with the temp guage at 130f.
Dave
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Toronado3800
Gearhead Posts: 1163
From: St. Louis, MO
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 12-20-2002 09:43 PM
Huh, I've always been a 180 fan myself. Heck, in my dailey driver the electronic fan doesn't come on until well over 200 and the little motor is MUCH better on keeping sparkplugs clean than anything I've ever owned.I have a theory that the cars which run best with cooler thermostats have under hood circle aircleaners, not cold air induction. BUT that is just a theory.
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