Thermostat Question - Warm Climate?
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Manalapan FL
Thermostat Question - Warm Climate?
I live in a warm climate. I'm more concerned about the car running cooler in stop-and-go traffic than I am having a warm interior. The specs call for a 195 thermostat. Should I change from this spec to a cooler thermostat? 185? 175?
Thanks in advance,
D. Ocean
Miami, FLA
Thanks in advance,
D. Ocean
Miami, FLA
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,310
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Re: Thermostat Question - Warm Climate? (74FLCONV)
There's a lot of opinion on this subject; you may want to check the archives for some of the previous debates.
My $0.02...
If your cooling system can't keep the temp below 210 degrees then it'll run 210 degrees whether you have a 175, 185, or 195 thermostat. The thermostat is designed to try to keep your car running no lower than its setting. That means that if your car can run at 160 degrees with the thermostat closed, then it won't run any warmer and the thermostat will never open. But, if your car runs at 210 degrees, then the thermostat will stay closed until the temp reaches its setting (175, 185, or whatever), then it will open, but that doesn't mean that your car won't run hotter; it will always get up to its operating temperature (210 in this case).
The only other real debate is whether you should run a thermostat at all. Some believe that the increased flow will help the car run cooler; others believe the the restricted flow is necessary for proper heating & cooling of the heads and areas of the block.
FWIW, I run a 180 degree in mine. As long as I keep the coolant/water mix fresh, I don't go much above 205.
[Modified by jerryp58, 5:11 PM 1/19/2003]
My $0.02...
If your cooling system can't keep the temp below 210 degrees then it'll run 210 degrees whether you have a 175, 185, or 195 thermostat. The thermostat is designed to try to keep your car running no lower than its setting. That means that if your car can run at 160 degrees with the thermostat closed, then it won't run any warmer and the thermostat will never open. But, if your car runs at 210 degrees, then the thermostat will stay closed until the temp reaches its setting (175, 185, or whatever), then it will open, but that doesn't mean that your car won't run hotter; it will always get up to its operating temperature (210 in this case).
The only other real debate is whether you should run a thermostat at all. Some believe that the increased flow will help the car run cooler; others believe the the restricted flow is necessary for proper heating & cooling of the heads and areas of the block.
FWIW, I run a 180 degree in mine. As long as I keep the coolant/water mix fresh, I don't go much above 205.
[Modified by jerryp58, 5:11 PM 1/19/2003]
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From: Okeechobee Florida
Re: Thermostat Question - Warm Climate? (kennycarpenter)
i live about 100 miles north of you and i run a 165*...
my car runs between 185* and 225* depending on how hot it is outside...
i also got rid of the fan and shroud and installed a 16 inch, 2200+ cfm elec fan with a Painless wireing harness that comes on at 185* and shuts the fan off at 175*...
it was the best thing i have done to my car! that clutch fan is noisy and a MAJOR horse power eater!
my car runs between 185* and 225* depending on how hot it is outside...
i also got rid of the fan and shroud and installed a 16 inch, 2200+ cfm elec fan with a Painless wireing harness that comes on at 185* and shuts the fan off at 175*...
it was the best thing i have done to my car! that clutch fan is noisy and a MAJOR horse power eater!
Melting Slicks
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From: TEXASTEXASTEXASTEXAS TEXASTEXASTEXASTEXAS
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Thermostat Question - Warm Climate? (SIGNGUY)
Jerry's right--the archives are full of threads debating thermostats.
My .02 is that a lower temp thermostat can make a difference in summer operating temps. I run a 195 in the winter and a 180 in the summer. If I run the 195 in the summer, I get some overheating & I don't with the 180. I think what happens is that with the cooler t-stat, the engine starts getting coolant movement sooner and has less chance to build up the residual heat that gets it over the 210 mark. In the winter, the hotter t-stat is better for the engine--from most of what I've read, you need the heat for your oil to lubricate like it's supposed to.
JB
My .02 is that a lower temp thermostat can make a difference in summer operating temps. I run a 195 in the winter and a 180 in the summer. If I run the 195 in the summer, I get some overheating & I don't with the 180. I think what happens is that with the cooler t-stat, the engine starts getting coolant movement sooner and has less chance to build up the residual heat that gets it over the 210 mark. In the winter, the hotter t-stat is better for the engine--from most of what I've read, you need the heat for your oil to lubricate like it's supposed to.
JB
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From: Severna Park Md
Re: Thermostat Question - Warm Climate? (JB)
I put a 160 in mine so it definatly opens earlier. However, when it gets hot the temp still rises well above that so I doubt it would hurt in a warm climate. Maybe in a cold cold climate you would want to stay with a hotter thermostat. In a warm climate, I cant see how using a cooler therm would hurt anything. Wont nessisarly help either.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 10,362
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From: San Diego - Deep Within The State of CONFUSION!
Re: Thermostat Question - Warm Climate? (Jvette73)
In mine, I put a 180 in it when doing the final assembly. And now with the high efficiency core 4-row radiator, it runs way below the 200 mark on the gauge, and rarely develops pressure in the system.
I'm actually thinking of going to a HIGHER 'stat like a 195 because I'm thinking it is too cool. :hat
I'm actually thinking of going to a HIGHER 'stat like a 195 because I'm thinking it is too cool. :hat
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 140
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From: Las Vegas NV
Re: Thermostat Question - Warm Climate? (74FLCONV)
I live up in Vegas, and I am running a 195 for now, I've got dual 11" Spal's, and never beat 110.
Just remember, the Tstat is the MINIMUM temp. I'm thinking of running open in the summer. I'm definatley not going to have problems getting warm enough.
Just my $.02.
David
Just remember, the Tstat is the MINIMUM temp. I'm thinking of running open in the summer. I'm definatley not going to have problems getting warm enough.
Just my $.02.
David
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