160 Thermostat - Good or Bad?

[Jim T.]

Re: 160 Thermostat - Good or Bad?

Martin (2781) the 204 is what I remember the last time I drove my 96. It is not a daily driver and it was just a 10 mile run and I did turn the air on initially but turned it off the last 7 miles. Most of trip was I-40 and highway.

I did learn one trip when the ambient air was cool enough to just use the vent for cool air and during a traffic slow down on the interstate trip when stopped noticed the temp climbing. Turned on the air, the fans came on and the temp came down. Got going again at speed and turned off the air.

I have it written somewhere what my oil and engine temp were on the interstate during hot weather.

[Joe R.]

Re: 160 Thermostat - Good or Bad?

Is there any advantage from a detonation standpoint to using a lower degree thermostat?

Joe

[Duke W.]

Re: 160 Thermostat - Good or Bad?

Yes, lower coolant temperatures will reduce the propensity to detonate (as does lower inlet air temperature), but I can't quantify it, The effect is relatively minor and it varies with engine design.

However, given the mostly bad consequences of running a 160 degree thermostat, I certainly don't recommend it.

Solve detonation problems with ignition map tuning and a thicker head gasket if all else fails.

Duke

[Joe R.]

Re: 160 Thermostat - Good or Bad?

Would this one be a good choice for a '66 L-72 (427 /425) and probably other big blocks?

http://www.napaonline.com/MasterPage...stat+-+Premium

Joe

[Joe R.]

Re: 160 Thermostat - Good or Bad?

Here's a link to NAPA's offerings for a '66 BB:

http://www.napaonline.com/MasterPage...d=5&SubCatId=1

I wasn't sure which one to pick. There is more than one 180 degree thermostat. To add to my confusion they say that 195 degrees is what the O.E.M. specified.

Joe

[John H.]

Re: 160 Thermostat - Good or Bad?

To add to my confusion they say that 195 degrees is what the O.E.M. specified.

Joe

Joe -

Only with K-19.

[Wayne M.]

Re: 160 Thermostat - Good or Bad?

...However, given the mostly bad consequences of running a 160 degree thermostat, I certainly don't recommend it.

So what am I supposed to do now with my "stash" of 160's ?

[John H.]

Re: 160 Thermostat - Good or Bad?

So what am I supposed to do now with my "stash" of 160's ?

Put 'em in the "C3 Parts For Sale" section over on CF - they'll go like hotcakes!

[Duke W.]

Re: 160 Thermostat - Good or Bad?

Yeah, that's what I was thinking - those morons over there...

And, Wayne - sweeten the deal with some four dollar a quart boutique engine oil, some boutique oil and gasoline additives, some big "double pumper" Holley carbs, and some real narrow LSA camshafts.

"Tha's right, boy, I got me a real race motor 'n I only use the best oil 'n additives 'n the biggest cam 'n double pumper on the planet. Boy, it sure sound' good idlin' through the parkin' lot."

Duke

[Joe L.]

Re: 160 Thermostat - Good or Bad?

Joe -

Only with K-19.

John-----


Yes, the 195 degree thermostats were generally applicable only to cars equipped with the air injection reactor system right through the C3 years. However, I do recommend changing those to 180 degree (but NOT to 160 degree).