What temp is correct?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
Likes: 122
From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
What temp is correct?
I am still building my new motor. Wanted a fail safe Thermostat. Went to buy one and all they had available was a 195. Is this too hot? 383 stroker 10.2 to 1, aluminum heads, roller cam, 500 HP
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7,106
Likes: 38
From: Newark DE
get a Robert Shaw 180º part # 330-180. also sold under the Mr. Gasket brand as part #4364.
195º is correct if you are running all the factory emission equipment on a stock motor but with your new motor a 180º is better.
195º is correct if you are running all the factory emission equipment on a stock motor but with your new motor a 180º is better.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
Likes: 122
From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Originally Posted by BarryK
get a Robert Shaw 180º part # 330-180. also sold under the Mr. Gasket brand as part #4364.
195º is correct if you are running all the factory emission equipment on a stock motor but with your new motor a 180º is better.
195º is correct if you are running all the factory emission equipment on a stock motor but with your new motor a 180º is better.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 20,715
Likes: 25
From: Sorrento Italy
on my modest opinion engines, specially high performance ones, cannot run too hot NOR too cool, mine is always around slightly below 180 while cruising and at slightly less then 190 in heavy traffic...i've noticed that until full warmed up it doesn't give the best of it, on the other side after beeing in heavy traffic it needs to cool down a bit to again give the best. 180 is perfect for your application
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,098
Likes: 378
From: Las Vegas - Just stop perpetuating myths please.
Not a big issue unless real cooling problems exist. Or racing at Daytona.
I posted this question too at the time as my owners manual said 190*F but others here convinced ok to use lower. I recall a 180*F t-stat went into mine and worked great in hot weather. Bought it at CarCraft auto store (i think) as they didn't have the temp i asked for but i'm running iron heads and alum heads have a higher heat x-fer rate. Maybe a little hotter t-stat would work just fine with those alum heads. BTW i recall one of the performance mods for late model EFI is a cooler t-stat - cooler a/f charge is denser and makes more pwr.
Back in the days when most heads were iron, often the t-stat was changed out just for the season changes.
Have installed a control vlv in the htr hose line and now just operate the vlv when i want heat and when i don't.
Watch for cycling once running again. Now if your running electric cooling fans cooler t-stat will run the fans more.
Good luck.
cardo0
Back in the days when most heads were iron, often the t-stat was changed out just for the season changes.
Have installed a control vlv in the htr hose line and now just operate the vlv when i want heat and when i don't.Watch for cycling once running again. Now if your running electric cooling fans cooler t-stat will run the fans more.
Good luck.
cardo0
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 417
Likes: 0
From: Tacoma Washington
I've got headers, Edelbrock cam, heads, manifold, carb, and tuned...I run a 195* stat and never go over 198* on the freeway/190* in town...Unless you have temps going over 210* all the time, it's not a good idea to run so cool as it creates sludge. My .02, others may disagree...
