Thermostat change; need advice
07-13-2014, 04:56 PM
#1
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Thermostat change; need advice
I am preparing to flush the anti-freeze in my 1969 L46 and am thinking about replacing the thermostat while I am at it. It's not that I think the thermostat is faulty it's more that I don't know how old it is and figured I might as well change it out while I am doing this job.
What temperature thermostat are you guys running in your stock L46 Corvettes?
What temperature thermostat are you guys running in your stock L46 Corvettes?
07-13-2014, 07:40 PM
#4
Team Owner
If it is the original engine, I would go with the manufacturer's recommendation all day long. Given that Mike Ward agrees with the 190-195 number, I'm guessing (because I admit to not knowing), that is what GM installed. I know my '70 LS-5 came with a 180 degree, so that is what I use in my car.
I hope this doesn't turn into another heated discussion of thermostats....
I hope this doesn't turn into another heated discussion of thermostats....
07-13-2014, 08:18 PM
#6
Team Owner
180 degree F.
The 195* stat was implemented for emissions purposes ONLY. It does nothing beneficial for the engine or the owner....and only a little bit for the environment. If you see useful value in that, put in the 195* stat. Or do it because Mike Ward told you to. Otherwise, install what the the SB design engineers thought was "optimum".
In any event, if your cooling system's stabilized temp is above 195*F, the question is moot....either will work just as well.
The 195* stat was implemented for emissions purposes ONLY. It does nothing beneficial for the engine or the owner....and only a little bit for the environment. If you see useful value in that, put in the 195* stat. Or do it because Mike Ward told you to. Otherwise, install what the the SB design engineers thought was "optimum".
In any event, if your cooling system's stabilized temp is above 195*F, the question is moot....either will work just as well.
07-13-2014, 08:20 PM
#7
Team Owner
I recently wrote a theatrical performance about puns; it's a play on words.
It's been a while for me Mike, but good to see you are still around! The kid-pendulum is starting to swing the other way, and I am getting back to into working on my car. I got wicked dirty Friday night, and smelled like old motor oil for 24+ hours, it was good.
It's been a while for me Mike, but good to see you are still around! The kid-pendulum is starting to swing the other way, and I am getting back to into working on my car. I got wicked dirty Friday night, and smelled like old motor oil for 24+ hours, it was good.
07-13-2014, 10:25 PM
#8
Le Mans Master
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Go with a 180.
Drill two small holes in the flats 180 apart to help with venting the air
Drill two small holes in the flats 180 apart to help with venting the air
07-14-2014, 11:15 AM
#9
Safety Car
I recommend the 180 with 2 small holes also.
Corvettes have no difficulty getting hot under the hood.
read up on refilling the system, it is always a problem getting all the air out of the system.
which leads to overheating after cooling system has been opened.
Corvettes have no difficulty getting hot under the hood.
read up on refilling the system, it is always a problem getting all the air out of the system.
which leads to overheating after cooling system has been opened.
07-14-2014, 11:20 AM
#10
Nam Labrat
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07-14-2014, 11:42 AM
#11
Le Mans Master
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I don't know if I would go drilling holes in things unless I were trying to solve an existing problem. I have drained and refilled the cooling system on my '80 'vette several times, and I have never experienced any of these trapped air problems. Just poured coolant into the radiator and fired it up, just like any other car. Maybe I've just been lucky.
Scott
Scott
07-14-2014, 11:47 AM
#12
Le Mans Master
I don't know if I would go drilling holes in things unless I were trying to solve an existing problem. I have drained and refilled the cooling system on my '80 'vette several times, and I have never experienced any of these trapped air problems. Just poured coolant into the radiator and fired it up, just like any other car. Maybe I've just been lucky.
Scott
Scott
07-14-2014, 02:40 PM
#13
Melting Slicks
07-14-2014, 03:28 PM
#14
07-14-2014, 04:45 PM
#15
Melting Slicks
That's supposed to be the best and all I have used!
07-14-2014, 05:34 PM
#16
The drill the hole idea serves only to bleed any air after a fresh fill. GM made seventy megasquillion of these engines, none of them had extra holes in the thermostat.I've now changed my mind and recommend a 160* unit. I read in Boy Racer magazine that it gives more horsespowers and torques.
07-14-2014, 08:07 PM
#18
Burning Brakes
Bill
07-14-2014, 10:14 PM
#19
Safety Car
drilling a holes in a $5 thermostat helps you avoid the problem of Air lock / over heating, it is not permanent modification,
2 years from now when you refill your cooling system and your car overheats, you will be posting why is my car overheating ?
like every week here, we have someone asking this very question.
all I did was drain and add coolant, and 90% of time it is Air lock that is the problem.
you can listen to experience or not. life is full of choices. .... choice wisely
same for Thermostat temp. selection, you get better emission with a hotter Stat, no performance gain.
2 years from now when you refill your cooling system and your car overheats, you will be posting why is my car overheating ?
like every week here, we have someone asking this very question.
all I did was drain and add coolant, and 90% of time it is Air lock that is the problem.
you can listen to experience or not. life is full of choices. .... choice wisely
same for Thermostat temp. selection, you get better emission with a hotter Stat, no performance gain.
07-15-2014, 10:14 AM
#20
Melting Slicks
drilling a holes in a $5 thermostat helps you avoid the problem of Air lock / over heating, it is not permanent modification,
2 years from now when you refill your cooling system and your car overheats, you will be posting why is my car overheating ?
like every week here, we have someone asking this very question.
all I did was drain and add coolant, and 90% of time it is Air lock that is the problem.
you can listen to experience or not. life is full of choices. .... choice wisely
same for Thermostat temp. selection, you get better emission with a hotter Stat, no performance gain.
2 years from now when you refill your cooling system and your car overheats, you will be posting why is my car overheating ?
like every week here, we have someone asking this very question.
all I did was drain and add coolant, and 90% of time it is Air lock that is the problem.
you can listen to experience or not. life is full of choices. .... choice wisely
same for Thermostat temp. selection, you get better emission with a hotter Stat, no performance gain.