jhuff

I currently have a 160* thermostat, but I was thinking I need to run a hotter one. From a thermodynamic standpoint I should use one that keeps the engine as hot as possible, but then there is detonation to consider at higher temps. What do you guys think I should run with a 9.6 compression aluminum head 400?

SteveG75

180

TopGunn

180

SanDiegoPaul

Absolutely ... bare minimum is a 180* thermostat to keep it running at the right temp range.

tigers123

Be sure and test it before putting in the car. All you have to do is hang it by a thread through the opening cold and put it in a pan of cold water. Bring up the heat watching with a thermometer and see when it falls off the string. You would be surprised at how many don't open at the proper temp.

Paul L

A 180 is fine.

Racer11

I used a Mr gasket 180 Hi perf thermostat,,,,got it a O'riley's,,,,I personally think it keeps the engine temp where it should be as compared to the OEM ones you get at O'riley.

Jeff_Keryk

Question for you: Does your engine run too cool with your 160* thermostat? In sunny CA, my BB has no problem running too cool with a 160* thermostat.

Curby

I just bought a 160 deg Hypertech thermostat for my 82. We'll see how it does.

jshug

180 deg.
If it fails... it will open instead of close.
Auto zone

BigBlockTank

I run a 195* t-stat in sunny and hot southern AZ. I have a 454 LS-5 that is beleived to be stock. I also have a DeWitt's radiator, and Lincoln Mark VIII dual speed fan. I will get over 195*, but only briefly, like at a stop light and it's 108* outside.

Not to insult anyone's intellegence, but alot of people don't really understand how a thermostat works, well the theory anyway. In most instances, a clean good working order cooling system will have less of a possibility to overheat if a higher degree t-stat is used. If you use a 165* t-stat, it opens at 165*, and exchanges engine coolant for radiator coolant. A lower degree t-stat will only allow the coolant to stay in the motor untill the t-stat opens again, and the radiator hasn't had time to cool the coolant back down. Once this cycle happens, the t-stat never closes and the coolant is free flowing until the motor overheats. If you use a 195* t-stat, the coolant stays in the radiator longer and has a better chance of cooling down before the next cycle happens.

If you already knew this, sorry for the redundency, maybe someone will read it that didn't know before!!

BBTank

noonie

I use both a 195 and a 180 in S Florida, both work very well, usually in the 90's here.

You may want to read this, explains the myths about the radiator time.

http://www.arrowheadradiator.com/14_...utomobiles.htm

Ray/aka/Pa

I put the 180 Failsafe thermostat in our car.

dmaaero

That mr gasket t stat that sticks open instead of closed sounded like a great idea, it lasted all of 2 months before it stuck wide open.

capevettes

180 The thermostat really only determines the point at which it opens. Your system's overall condition/setup will determine how warm it runs.

Ray/aka/Pa

That might very well be the situation we have if we ever get it back on the road. If it ever gives any problem it will be gone too. But I had rather with the new engine, it be stuck open as compared to over heating it like my wife did when the walmart bag stuck to the radiator.

TopGunn

Yeah, mine did the same thing. Someone told me they are made by Robert Shaw for Mr Gasket, I was suprised it did that.

Mike Ward

You'd prefer that it sticks closed?

TopGunn

You're absolutely correct I agree with the safety factor, but I'd have preferred mine not stick at all. In all the cars I've had I've NEVER had one stick, open or closed. I put this POS in and it stuck in two weeks.

540 RAT

The Robert Shaw thermostat I just put in my 540 said made in Mexico, maybe that explains it.