Should replace 160 degree thermostat?
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Selbyville Delaware
Should replace 160 degree thermostat?
Purchased a 1990 vert with 64k a month or so ago. Seller indicated that he had replaced the original thermostat with a 160 degree thermostat and inserted a chip so the main fan also turned on at 160 degrees. I do not race and use the car for leisurely driving only. Having read previous threads, an engine temperature of 160 degrees appears to increase engine wear. Should I replace the thermostat with a 180 degree thermostat? If I replace the thermostat, do I have to install a new chip? Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: The Top of Utah
A 180* or the stock 195* stat would be a good idea. The fans, if really programmed to come on at 160*, would never shut off. That would just wear them out, unnecessarilly. A fan on temp of 15*-20* above the stat temp seems to work out well.
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Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Windham CT
I have the 160 thermostat in my 92....
It now has 131k miles on it....The engine has never been apart, I do take care of it and the I'm not sure I agree that it wear it out any faster than a 180. Correct me if I'm wrong here.....
My though is, the 160 opens when the prestone hits the 160 temp. How much more time does it take, for the car to go up the other 20 degrees to open the 180 degree thermostat? Its got to be a very short time at that point.... After than, the temp of the water is more control byhow much air passing over the radiator be it fans of wind, size of radiator, water pump condition, type of prestone with or without wetting agent.......
Most of these cars are babied more than most think, at least the ones owned by us older guys. I run it up there, but don't flog it day after day....
I was going to try two of the stats in a pot of boiling water to see, but its to nice out to waste time with right now....
Again, my thought is, that thermostat is only in effect for the temp it opens the water flow up at......after than, many more things come into play that goveren the high temp of that engine.....
Swampy
My though is, the 160 opens when the prestone hits the 160 temp. How much more time does it take, for the car to go up the other 20 degrees to open the 180 degree thermostat? Its got to be a very short time at that point.... After than, the temp of the water is more control byhow much air passing over the radiator be it fans of wind, size of radiator, water pump condition, type of prestone with or without wetting agent.......
Most of these cars are babied more than most think, at least the ones owned by us older guys. I run it up there, but don't flog it day after day....
I was going to try two of the stats in a pot of boiling water to see, but its to nice out to waste time with right now....
Again, my thought is, that thermostat is only in effect for the temp it opens the water flow up at......after than, many more things come into play that goveren the high temp of that engine.....
Swampy
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,036
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From: Edmonton AB
Originally Posted by CFI-EFI
A 180* or the stock 195* stat would be a good idea.
thermostat.
This is a subject with polarized opinions. A recent
thread was just locked in part because of fractious
posts. Take a look and draw conclusions to determine
which side of the fence you feel most comfy.
Link to recent ideal stat temp debate
If your decision is to raise the temp, you will need
to compliment this with a change to the chip 'fan on'
settings. Maybe the previous owner still has the
original chip? You might want to ask whether any
other changes to support the cold stat were made.
.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,160
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From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
The chip is fine, you may switch thermostats if you wish but I wouldnt do it because youre afraid of the engine wear that everyone here threatens. If you are going to drive it alot in winter then you may wish to go 180, because thats the only time of year where you'd need to worry about the coolant being too cold.
Otherwise, If it ain't broke, dont fix it.
Otherwise, If it ain't broke, dont fix it.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by vader86
Otherwise, If it ain't broke, dont fix it.
The chip isn't fine. Larandy reported in the opening thread that the fan(s) come on at 160*. That is way too cool, even for the 160* stat, if he decides to keep it. Once the the engine hit's 160* the fan(s) will come on and the engine will never cool enough for them to shut off. The fan(s) will run continuously, for no good reason.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,159
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From: royal palm beach florida
Originally Posted by vader86
The chip is fine, you may switch thermostats if you wish but I wouldnt do it because youre afraid of the engine wear that everyone here threatens. If you are going to drive it alot in winter then you may wish to go 180, because thats the only time of year where you'd need to worry about the coolant being too cold.
Otherwise, If it ain't broke, dont fix it.
Otherwise, If it ain't broke, dont fix it.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,160
Likes: 1,733
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Originally Posted by CFI-EFI
Larandy reported in the opening thread that the fan(s) come on at 160*
The chip needs that setting changed to about 195, and off at 175.
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
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From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by vader86
I'm sorry I didnt catch that, in which case the fans will be running constantly, and thats not good for the relays.
The chip needs that setting changed to about 195, and off at 175.
The chip needs that setting changed to about 195, and off at 175.
RACE ON!!!
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Even with the 160 stat your car is likely running 185-195 in temperatures about 70 degrees.
On a hot 90 degree summer day in stop and go traffic you will hit 210.
Reprogramming the chip to have fans on at 195 and off at 175 will have them start about 3-5 minutes later but unless you are driving in temperatures below 60 you will unlikley see 175. So they will run just as much (IMHO)
If your car is a year round daily driver, I'd make the change if you are concerned. If it is a fun in the sun vehicle like mine, I would not bother with the time and expense.
On a hot 90 degree summer day in stop and go traffic you will hit 210.
Reprogramming the chip to have fans on at 195 and off at 175 will have them start about 3-5 minutes later but unless you are driving in temperatures below 60 you will unlikley see 175. So they will run just as much (IMHO)
If your car is a year round daily driver, I'd make the change if you are concerned. If it is a fun in the sun vehicle like mine, I would not bother with the time and expense.
