Here's a good one for you...
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,898
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma City Oklahoma
Here's a good one for you...
Had a StageII chip put in my 91, with an EGR delete, and fans set to come on @210. The guy that installed the chip suggested that I install a 160 degree thermostat, but a 180 would suffice. I drove the car home (approx. 150 miles) with the factory 195 degree thermostat still in it, and I didn't notice any difference in the engine temp..still ran nice and cool. I installed a 180 degree thermostat the other day, and the freakin car is running hotter (at least by the guage) than it was with the 195 in it! WTF!! Isn't a cooler thermostat supposed to make the car run cooler? Am I missing something here? I didn't purge the system for air, because I don't know how. The car isn't overheating, it's just running hotter. Suggestions? TIA
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,753
Likes: 9
From: Louisiana
Take the radiator cap off and start the engine cold. As the temp rises, (watch temp), the thermostat will open and move the coolant. You should notice bubbles at the radiator opening and the coolant level might start to drop. Add coolant as necessary. This should remove the air from the coolant. The L98 doesn't have bleed screws on the TB like the LT1. Watch the engine temp and note temp the fan cuts on at and make sure it cuts on.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,706
Likes: 485
From: Everett WA
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Here is one that I think I can answer correctly and I'm sure many will jump right in if I am incorrect.
When you first start up your engine, the coolent only circulates within the block. It doesn't pass through the radiator.
If you have a 195* thermostat, when the temp of the block coolent reaches 195, the thermostat will open allowing the water to flow through the radiator to help maintain that temp or one close to it.
NOW, let's say for the sake of argument (
) that the optimum temp for engine performance = 195*. If you install a 160* thermostat, it is going to open up way before the engine reaches it's optimum operating temperature and the radiator is going to attempt to keep the coolent from reaching a higher temp. This will result in your engine running "cooler" for a longer period of time, until it finally gets upto 195 however all of that time the engine is not yet operating at it's peek efficiency. That's why many folks advise not to install a "cooler" thermostat because the engine is designed to operate most efficiently at a particular temp.
When you first start up your engine, the coolent only circulates within the block. It doesn't pass through the radiator.
If you have a 195* thermostat, when the temp of the block coolent reaches 195, the thermostat will open allowing the water to flow through the radiator to help maintain that temp or one close to it.
NOW, let's say for the sake of argument (
) that the optimum temp for engine performance = 195*. If you install a 160* thermostat, it is going to open up way before the engine reaches it's optimum operating temperature and the radiator is going to attempt to keep the coolent from reaching a higher temp. This will result in your engine running "cooler" for a longer period of time, until it finally gets upto 195 however all of that time the engine is not yet operating at it's peek efficiency. That's why many folks advise not to install a "cooler" thermostat because the engine is designed to operate most efficiently at a particular temp.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Originally Posted by CMYC4GO
Isn't a cooler thermostat supposed to make the car run cooler?
A thermostat controls the minimum temperature of an engine, not the maximum temperature.
Larry
code5coupe
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,753
Likes: 9
From: Louisiana
Mr. Peabody is correct. In my 86 I have a 180* stat. My fan comes on at 170 for some reason. My temps on my guage never get over 182* idling or driving. In my 95 I have a 180* stat. My fan comes on at 200* and it stays around 190 driving and 230 idling. Go figure.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,898
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma City Oklahoma
Well, I think my system is ok. I started the car w/rad cap off. VERY few bubbles appeard, and once the fan kicked in (213 degrees) the coolant level dropped maybe 1/2 cup's worth. We're leaving on a 2000 mile vacation in the morning. I'm just gonna throw a spare thermostat in the car, and a gallon of anti-freeze, and not gonna worry about it. Meanwhile, I'm trying to figure out how to get the frisbee off. Looks like an easy 4 bolts, and it's history. Thanks guys!
Adendum: The Frisbee is going to stay. Did a search, and it appears that the job is more than I want to tackle at this late stage.
Adendum: The Frisbee is going to stay. Did a search, and it appears that the job is more than I want to tackle at this late stage.
Last edited by CMYC4GO; May 23, 2006 at 05:12 PM.
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