1976 350 thermostat
06-30-2017, 12:50 AM
#3
Team Owner
I agree with using a 180*F stat. But, the real question is, "What temperature should the fan be turned ON and what temp should it turn OFF?"
My recommendation is that it should be turned on at about 200*-210*F (assuming you are using a 50/50 mix of antifreeze as coolant) and turn off at about 190*F.
My recommendation is that it should be turned on at about 200*-210*F (assuming you are using a 50/50 mix of antifreeze as coolant) and turn off at about 190*F.
07-01-2017, 09:14 AM
#4
Drifting
A cooler motor is happier than a hot motor!
I have an 180 in my 76
I have an 180 in my 76
07-01-2017, 09:50 AM
#6
Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '05
If you live in a cold climate and use heat definitely 180. hot climate 160
Make sure your fan switch coincides so it isnt running all the time
Make sure your fan switch coincides so it isnt running all the time
07-01-2017, 11:49 AM
#7
Burning Brakes
Whether you use a 160 or 180, it has no effect on what temperature your engine runs at. That's just the temp that the thermostat opens. If your engine runs at 200, 205, 210, or whatever, it'll still run at that temp whether you have a 160, 180* thermostat. The thermostat will only control min temp, not max.
07-01-2017, 01:49 PM
#8
Drifting
Whether you use a 160 or 180, it has no effect on what temperature your engine runs at. That's just the temp that the thermostat opens. If your engine runs at 200, 205, 210, or whatever, it'll still run at that temp whether you have a 160, 180* thermostat. The thermostat will only control min temp, not max.
07-01-2017, 05:22 PM
#9
Team Owner
A more precise way to say this is:
The rating of the thermostat does not (by itself) determine at what temperature the cooling system will stabilize. That rating is the temperature at which the stat will start to open...not when it becomes FULLY open. If the rest of the cooling system has the capacity to do so, the stabilized operating temps will be near the stat opening temp. But, if the cooling capability of the system is 'marginal', the stabilized temps might be 10-20 degrees warmer than the stat opening temp, and in hotter weather that stabilized temp will likely increase.
The stat ONLY determines the MINIMUM possible stabilized temp for the cooling system. And only those systems with EXCESS capacity will stabilize near that stat rating temperature.
The rating of the thermostat does not (by itself) determine at what temperature the cooling system will stabilize. That rating is the temperature at which the stat will start to open...not when it becomes FULLY open. If the rest of the cooling system has the capacity to do so, the stabilized operating temps will be near the stat opening temp. But, if the cooling capability of the system is 'marginal', the stabilized temps might be 10-20 degrees warmer than the stat opening temp, and in hotter weather that stabilized temp will likely increase.
The stat ONLY determines the MINIMUM possible stabilized temp for the cooling system. And only those systems with EXCESS capacity will stabilize near that stat rating temperature.
Last edited by 7T1vette; 07-01-2017 at 05:23 PM.