What is the best temperature range thermostat for hot climates,at present I have a 195,should I drop to a 185?
Thanks Neil.

 

I'd go with the 185. If the rest of you cooling system is operating properly, that should be perfect. Optimum temp range is around 180-190. I put a 160 in my Vette here in Florida, and the car ran TOO cool.

 

Thanks 79MakoL82,I thought the 195 was a bit high.

 

Get a good thermostat like a 180 Robertshaw high flow thermostat labeled Extra Performance & available at Auto Zone or a Nissan 280ZX from Nissan dealer.
If you go to a 180, make sure it does not cause an effect w/ something like emissions equip. or the heat riser valve.

 

One might wonder how to define "too cool"...

I, for one, don't subscribe to the belief that (within reason) you can run an engine "too cool", as long as all the systems are set up expect the lower temperature. I have heard the arguments about "burning off" contaminants in the oil... I just drain mine out regularly. What's not to like about running an engine at, say, 140 degrees?

My thinking is along these lines... People put aluminum heads because the combustion chambers run cooler, resulting in all sorts of benefits like detonation resistance, etc. I like iron heads, and I cool them better than average for the same effect.

Now, simply changing the thermostat in an automotve transportation system that's been programmed to expect specific temperatures can cause havok. I realize this doesn't apply to most C3s. Thank goodness for cars that we can actually work on! :chevy

-Noel

 

I have to disagree with you on this one. There is certainly an "optimum" range at which you want your car to run. The temprature needs to be at a minimum temperature for efficient combustion, and generally that is around 180-190, and the engine is designed to run at that level. Certainly, you don't want it to run any hotter than it has to, so the perfect system would be one that keeps the temp in that 180-190 degree range, but not much above or below. I can attest that there is a significant loss of power when the engine runs "too cool". At 130-140 degrees, the car feels sluggish and difficult to wake up. This is why I say my car ran too cool. There was a noticable loss of power, and with no way of getting the car hotter (other than beating the CRAP out of it), it was a real PITA. I put in a 160* T-stat, I replaced my seals, put in Water Wetter, 85% distilled water and 15% antifreeze, and I could not get the car to runner hotter than 160 on a hot day. On cooler days and in the mornings, I couldn't get the car past 140. From my experience go with a 180 or 185 degree T-stat (provided the rest of your cooling system is operating efficiently).

 

There was an interesting article about engine temperature in an old issue of National Dragster by the Reher Morrison company.

He was saying it is best to run your engine as cold as possible, since the charge is cooler etc.

Now remember this guy sells engines that are rebuilt every other day and things break before they wear.
They are also DESIGNED to run cold, which I think is the biggest difference between them and us.

So I am completely convinced that I still don't know if it matters what temperature the engine is :eek:

But I do know that too hot is bad...

 

My question would be, what is "cold" in dragster terms. Also, with their higher compression and other go fast goodies, etc., I imagine detonation would be more of a concern, so cooler is better for them. I think in our case though, with the lower compressions, pump gas, etc., running a little warmer might improve our performance. On a cold morning, isn't your car a little sluggish until it warms up? So, it goes to reason that a little heat is not a bad thing. A LOT of heat is definately bad.

 

You want a min. of 180 to reduce wear.

 

Neil,
I changed from 195 to 180 & it runs cooler, but still gets up to temperature (run it too cool & you'd need lower viscocity oils, get problems with condensation, etc). According to a couple of mates in Perth our hottest summer temps are about the same as yours (I don't believe them!), so I'd say to drop in a 180 & see how you get on with it.
:cheers:

 

I agree, 180 seems to be the magic number. Everything I've read before has said that you want to get your engine to 180 quickly then keep it there. Apparently less wear on engine internals and exaust. I'm no mechanic, this is just what I've read. :)

 

Thanks for all the responses I will go with a 180 or 185.

 

I run a 160 with electric fans on a 450hp stroker. On a hot day it will run 190 in traffic. At about 210 it boils the gas in the carb.

 

180 is good just get a balanced thermostat I think that is the correct name of it. IM told it has better flow and if it stickes it will stick in the open so you do not lose your flow. My .02

 

This is only my opinion, But I have read a ton of material on engin tempertures, Oil function, cooling system operation and engine wear. One of the fourmost issues is that running an engine consistantly on the cool/cold side is dirt and wear. These are the top problems with engines that run too cold. 'IF' you can get a perticular engine, Modified or stock, to warm up to 180 degrees, and then operate in the 200 to 220 degree range this is the most efficiient range for literally any stock or lightly modified engine.

At the 190 to 210 ramge all systems are stabilized and the various oils, coolants and chemicals are operating in their fully optimized temperture range. If the oils and coolants are operating as intended, Then engine wear is at it's absolute lowest. Engine oil that is operated in the under 150 degree range is not even acting as a dirt sponge at all. Detergents don't even beging to operate till they are warmed to 185 degrees? The cooling system has other situations that requirer at least 175 degrees, theres anti rust agents and protection for aluminum parts, silicone and fluid stability to consider as well. If you live in a hot climate, Average temps. in the 70 to 90 degrees ambient air, you need to be concerned with condensation build up, and subsequent water dispersion and containment. All of this doesn't begin to be addressed by the engine till the temperture is somewhere between 170 to 200 degrees. And 200 degrees is not a 'Hot Engine' by any stretch of the imagination? If a colder air charge is desired, then this can be affected by special air ducting and funneling, but lowering the engine temperture to unacceptable levels is not going to produce anymore horsepower in any feasible or realistic manner. If your intent is to simply collect dirt, grime and water inside your engine, then run it as cold as you can!