Missing thermostat?
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Breslau Ontario
Missing thermostat?
Sorry if I'm repeating a topic, I've done a bunch of searches and haven't found anything.
My '89 stays cold when on the highway and only heats up to normal temps in traffic or in town. I assumed a failed-open thermostat so decided to test it. I pulled the t-body and, directly below that, what I supposed to be the t-stat housing, but there isn't a thermostat there! So, while that would explain why my engine won't heat up, I'm also slightly concerned that I may be looking in the wrong spot for my thermostat! I can't imagine why anyone would simply remove, and not replace, such an inexpensive part...
All I'm looking for is confirmation that I am in the correct location, that is, the coolant line entering the engine block directly below the throttle body.
Thanks all!
Aaron
My '89 stays cold when on the highway and only heats up to normal temps in traffic or in town. I assumed a failed-open thermostat so decided to test it. I pulled the t-body and, directly below that, what I supposed to be the t-stat housing, but there isn't a thermostat there! So, while that would explain why my engine won't heat up, I'm also slightly concerned that I may be looking in the wrong spot for my thermostat! I can't imagine why anyone would simply remove, and not replace, such an inexpensive part...
All I'm looking for is confirmation that I am in the correct location, that is, the coolant line entering the engine block directly below the throttle body.
Thanks all!
Aaron
Drifting
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,736
Likes: 31
From: Reno Nevada
Hey Aaron,
You should always have a thermostat, or at least a restrictor, or the coolant flows too fast through the radiator and doesn't have time to cool the engine. Did you have this last Summer? I use a thermostat that I drill a 1/8" hole in it to avoid burping and or air pockets. A factory one is 195, and fans will come on at 226, or when ac comes on. With these engines getting older using a 180 makes more sense to me, but you may need to modify temps for fans.
You should always have a thermostat, or at least a restrictor, or the coolant flows too fast through the radiator and doesn't have time to cool the engine. Did you have this last Summer? I use a thermostat that I drill a 1/8" hole in it to avoid burping and or air pockets. A factory one is 195, and fans will come on at 226, or when ac comes on. With these engines getting older using a 180 makes more sense to me, but you may need to modify temps for fans.
Drifting
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,736
Likes: 31
From: Reno Nevada
I say 180 for a reason. Temperature builds pressure, and as it ages less pressure is better for an older engine.
I repeat, not everyone in Nevada lives in Vegas.
Last edited by MrWillys; Feb 19, 2014 at 11:00 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,621
Likes: 207
From: Orlando FL
Why does everyone assume Nevada is Las Vegas? I live 20 miles North of Reno, and it's 32 F before 8 pm at 5100' and I'm 30 miles from where the 1960 Olympics' where held at Squaw Valley, CA. Geez, we get snow from early Oct to late May. We were -8F in December
I say 180 for a reason. Temperature builds pressure, and as it ages less pressure is better for an older engine.
I repeat, not everyone in Nevada lives in Vegas.
I say 180 for a reason. Temperature builds pressure, and as it ages less pressure is better for an older engine.
I repeat, not everyone in Nevada lives in Vegas.
Drifting
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,736
Likes: 31
From: Reno Nevada
No worries, but we are 8 hrs from Vegas, and at a much higher elevation. I'm 600' above Reno and we rarely get hot. We run ac maybe 10 days a year. Our July morning lows are typically 55F and a high around 90. We get thunderstorms that can drop temps 30 degrees in a matter of minutes. Snow is welcome, and has benefits. We only see insects from May to Oct.
Point, temp builds pressure, and after 25 years a 180 t stat should be considered.
Point, temp builds pressure, and after 25 years a 180 t stat should be considered.
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Brett Foote
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,350
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Yes, the engine should have a properly-functioning T-stat. You will be happier and your engine will be happier....for several reasons.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,130
Likes: 2
From: seattle WA
I'd like to suggest the 180 thermostat. Mines an 87 with 103,000 miles, I've owned it 15 yrs. First inspect the area between the condenser and the radiator....these cars are vacumn machines and that area needs to be clean. I only owned mine for a short period, downtown Seattle on a 90* day, stop and go traffic and it heated up to 240* I shut it off and took it to chevy. Long story short they said not to worry..but I did. I put in a 180 changed the fan switch ( so both the aux. and main fans) come on a 215-220. Its worked great for me and the switch isn't expensive.
Some guys like the 160*....to many pros and cons. But I believe the oil temps don't get high enough using the 160, just me. Mines been fine for over ten yrs.
Good Luck.
Some guys like the 160*....to many pros and cons. But I believe the oil temps don't get high enough using the 160, just me. Mines been fine for over ten yrs.
Good Luck.
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Breslau Ontario
Thanks for the replies all! I was really just wondering if I was wrong about the location of the thermostat but all the other thoughts are really helpful also. I have installed a 195 although I see the reasoning behind the 180. Seems the 180 is the favorite of a lot of folks.
After installing however I cracked the thermostat housing while tightening one of the bolts... Which I didn't notice until I ran it and it pumped coolant all over my shop floor! Now to replace the housing...
Thanks again everyone!
Cheers,
Aaron
After installing however I cracked the thermostat housing while tightening one of the bolts... Which I didn't notice until I ran it and it pumped coolant all over my shop floor! Now to replace the housing...
Thanks again everyone!
Cheers,
Aaron
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,953
Likes: 550
From: Mission Viejo CA
Drifting
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,736
Likes: 31
From: Reno Nevada
However, there's a direct correlation between an increase in vapor pressure as temperatures rise and molecules move faster, so 195F will most certainly create more vapor pressure than 180F.
http://iapws.org/faq1/boil.htm