vader86

If i'm going to install a 160 F thermostat in my 86 coupe, do i need to get the chip to go with it or can it go by itself?

jackdaroofer

By itself!

Thermostat is a bi-metalic device that functions without outside interference.

All it means though is that water will start flowing thru engine at 160 degrees, not 180 or 195

If you are attempting to solve a problem with hot running engine, this probably won't do it.

Once thermo is open, it's open!

In cold climates, it could work against you

Jack


[Modified by jackdaroofer, 8:33 PM 9/9/2001]

dt35th

your fan is going on at about 226 and off at about 215. 160 stat by it self will do nothing

vader86

yeah, thats why i'm asking, i want her to turn the fan on earlier too, anything to cool the engine down. thanks

dt35th

if you have aux fan you could turn that on manual

vader86

how?

dt35th

add a switch to ground the green wire with white strip that goes to the relay that operates the fan

JAKE

I'm not sure what "chip" you're referring to, but if all you're doing is installing a different thermostat, yea, you can do it yourself. A stat is just a mechanical device that opens and closes based on the temp of the coolant the spring senses.

It's easy, just a couple of precautions.

The thermostat housing on the 86 Vette is aluminum and cracks easily when torqued back in place. Take your time, use the correct torque value and pull down the bolts in alternating amounts in small increments.

Run them down til they are both flush, then torque them a little at a time. I don't my service manual here or I'd post the torque value, but if I remember correctly, it's pretty low.

If you crack yours, and you'll know when you hear a 'pop' sound, Pep Boys sells a cast iron replacement for around $10; they have them in stock behind the parts counter at the back of the store. They'll crack too, but are just harder to break.

To get the advantage of a lower temp stat, you need to have the fan come on at a lower than stock temp. Modifying the PROM is the best way to do this, but some companies sell a sensor that you screw in the head that is supposed to cause the fan to come on sooner too.

Hope this helps.

Jake

rmurcek

I'm going to hope that someone that knows for sure will jump in, but I think your mileage will drop if you lower the engine temp without changing the PROM.