New thermo?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Evansville Indiana
New thermo?
Hey guys, So i have a question. When i start up my lt1 (1995) it gets over about 210 degs. before the thermo will finally open so the coolent will flow. After I get out on the road and have it running for a few minutes it finally opens. Should i possibly change it to a cooler thermostat? I just had the water pump off to change the opti and all. I just want to know what you all think, I dont want to damage the engine!
Corvette Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,793
Likes: 2,701
From: So. Cal.
2025 C7 of the Year Finalist- Unmodified
2024 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Here we go again. May want to try the search function. This topic has been beaten to death here. Good luck with your vette.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 7,999
Likes: 14
From: Life is just one big track event. Everything before and after is prep and warm-up and cool-down laps
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
St. Jude Donor '12
Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 729
Likes: 4
From: Yukon OK
Sorry, you stepped on a topic land mine. The "Thermo" debate gets going on here regularly.
Replace the thermo with stock. Pull the radiator shroud and clear any debris from between the radiator and condenser. Do that and see how it goes.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,770
Likes: 175
From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
For the record, 210 is NOT too hot!
Sitting still for any length of time: 225 F. - 235 F.
Moving at any speed above 30 mph: 192 F. 200 F.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Evansville Indiana
Well The reason i ask is, the thermo is not opening up it will get up to 230 240 and it has to be that hot for atleast a minute or two then it will finally open and the temp will drop to about 170. I just don't want that heat to damage those heads, you know?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 412
From: WV
Your thermostat is probably going bad, just go to the auto parts store and get a stock replacement..Don't screw around trying to change the car unless you have mods that warrant it.....WW
Last edited by WW7; Feb 3, 2011 at 12:30 PM.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 305
Likes: 2
From: Epfenbach BW
I would get a new one ASAP. If it fails stuck you might be in for a headgasket job.
Use the stock thermostat (195F) if your ECM is stock. I have a 180F one with fan on/off parameters slightly changed to benefit from the lower rating thermostat.
If you just change the stat, you will run too cool while moving, and still as hot as ever when standing still.
Use the stock thermostat (195F) if your ECM is stock. I have a 180F one with fan on/off parameters slightly changed to benefit from the lower rating thermostat.
If you just change the stat, you will run too cool while moving, and still as hot as ever when standing still.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Evansville Indiana
I would get a new one ASAP. If it fails stuck you might be in for a headgasket job.
Use the stock thermostat (195F) if your ECM is stock. I have a 180F one with fan on/off parameters slightly changed to benefit from the lower rating thermostat.
If you just change the stat, you will run too cool while moving, and still as hot as ever when standing still.
Use the stock thermostat (195F) if your ECM is stock. I have a 180F one with fan on/off parameters slightly changed to benefit from the lower rating thermostat.
If you just change the stat, you will run too cool while moving, and still as hot as ever when standing still.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,328
Likes: 15
From: Jacksonville FL
The warning light on my 85 does not come on until 260* so dont worry about anything less. Your car will puke fluids if there is something wrong providing there is fluid to puke. Replace your thermo with stock which is 185-190 I think and make sure you check the front of the radiator for debris as our cars are known to be vacuum cleaners.
Good Luck!
Good Luck!
