I would change it to 180 and enjoy the drive.

 

Yep. If the cooling system capacity is not large enough to reject the heat through the rad, then over heating will begin. Solution: Increase capacity by increasing radiator sizeor a different rad material of construction. Hence, more volume of coolant and increased dwell time of the coolant in the rad results in cooler coolant exiting the rad. Thus, the engine is maintained at its designed operating temp by the modulating opening/closing/all points in-between design of the ts. As engine load increases, ts opens more to permit more cooled coolant to enter the engine block and replace the hotter coolant. Engine load decreases and the ts begins to close, but not shut. At steady state, cruising on a flat road at a constant speed, the ts will find the correct balance, but not fully open, to regulate the coolant allowed into the engine from the rad.

I can't see why people find this so difficult to understand. I've posted many times on this and supplied references from various sources such as the GM service manual, guys with Ph.D's who study this **** for a living in which car companies use that information to design their cooling systems to prevent engines from over heating.

If a car is overheating, example: 180* ts and guage is reading 210*, then there is a defect somewhere in the cooling system. Most likely, a clogged radiator which is a reduced cooling capacity condition. Or, if the engine is modified from 200 hp to 500 hp and the coolant capacity didn't change, then a good chance there will be overheating.

 

Not if you throw in a nice big alumium rad. Run all day at 180* No need to change ts. Lots of guys in here will attest to this.

 

For street use, 180*. 160* is too cool for oil to properly lubricate and therefore, increased wear will occur. To get the engine to cool to 160* you may need to put a bigger rad in.

 

 

Lets face it. Oil lubricates well below zero. Ask those fellas up in Alaska and the Artic Circle.
Nothing wrong with 160*. Its not too cool. Ask the drag racers as they bring their car into staging with a cold engine.

 

Just to muddy the waters, I will throw in some wisdom from the aviation community. I was taught that an aircraft engine needs to get up over 200 degrees to ensure that any moisture in the oil is driven off. If engine temperature doesn't get high enough, water in the oil will compromise lubrication. Always seemed logical to me. BTW I run a 180 thermostat.

 

^^^THIS^^^ I have NEVER understood why people replace their 180-195* stat for a 160* stat and hope is cures their heating issue?