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10-14-2013, 06:44 PM | #1 |
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How to pick a thermostat
I'm swapping from a 305 sbc in my 84 to a mildly built 350 and need to replace the thermostat just wondering which to choose i know theres different temperature ones
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10-14-2013, 06:54 PM | #2 |
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Re: How to pick a thermostat
Anything around your year and back uses a 180 after 88 and up usually use a 195 degree.
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10-14-2013, 10:33 PM | #3 |
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Re: How to pick a thermostat
Where you live, I'd run a 195. The heater will work better.
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10-14-2013, 10:57 PM | #4 |
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Re: How to pick a thermostat
If your cooling system is working properly a 195 thermostat is the way to go. The hotter engine temp will keep the moisture out and allow a more complete burn in the combustion chamber. Running the engine cold does nothing good for it.
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10-14-2013, 11:38 PM | #5 |
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Re: How to pick a thermostat
Operating temperature vs power and longevity!
http://www.carnut.com/ramblin/_cool3.html
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10-14-2013, 11:59 PM | #6 |
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Re: How to pick a thermostat
I would install what Gm calls for which is a 180, not a 195. I run a 180 all year round and it gets to -20 to -35C here in the winter, ya coold. Your choice but sure Gm knows what they are talking about haha. A 195 will work but in summer on a hot day may make it runa bit to warm and cause it to ping.
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1987 Green n Green machine. 5.0 4spd std. 7" lift w 35's. |
10-15-2013, 01:09 AM | #7 | |
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Re: How to pick a thermostat
Quote:
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10-15-2013, 07:40 AM | #8 |
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Re: How to pick a thermostat
I run a 180 with a tiny burb hole in it.........
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10-15-2013, 11:41 AM | #9 |
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Re: How to pick a thermostat
+1.
180 degree is just right, add the 1/16" - 1/8" hole to prevent trapped air since a thermostat can't read air very well. It may also help the thermostat open sooner on a hot day since it allows cooler coolant to be displaced with warmer coolant a little faster. Not trying to cause debate. I've just used 160 and 195 stats on different vehicles, never liked them much. There was usually some root cause that needed fixed that a different temp thermostat really didn't fix. For example, an overheating vehicle doesn't need a 160 degree stat, it needs the cooling system checked. And bad heat in the winter usually means a clogged heater core or stuck fan clutch, so a 195 isn't the right solution there either. But that's just my opinion... and we all know what opinions are like........
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10-15-2013, 12:03 PM | #10 |
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Re: How to pick a thermostat
Speaking of the burp hole.
Here is a trick we used to do when I was hustling flat rate in high paced shops. Buy a 99 cent bottle of aspirin to keep in your tool box. When you install a thermostat, push it open with your fingers and wedge two aspirins in the gap, across from each other. Now install thermostat and fill with coolant. The aspirins will hold thermostat open and it will bleed air allowing you to fill the system completely. Then as the water rises up past the thermostat, it will dissolve the aspirins and allow thermostat to work normally from then on. I agree about the 160 degree deal. If it overheats with a 180 or 195, its a cooling system problem not to be fixed by a lower temp stat. When the manufacturers went to 195 degree units back in the 80s I got on board with the idea. Its healthy for the engine to run warm. The oil stays cleaner. Plus that extra 15 degrees of heat at the vents is nice. |
10-15-2013, 04:47 PM | #11 | ||
*** That's interesting ***
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Re: How to pick a thermostat
Quote:
I've heard of this too -- anything from candy to vitamin pills to small pieces of toilet paper folded up in a wad. No wonder I work on my own cars these days. I'd never put any of those things in an engine. But getting paid under time pressure, I guess you do what you have to do. Quote:
I also agree that a higher temp will help get rid of moisture and some other contaminants in the engine, and that will help oil stay cleaner, but there is a law of diminishing returns here since oil also breaks down with too much heat. Good discussion!
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Tom Chevy by day... 1969 Chevy C30 Rollback Tow Truck -- 383 stroker, 4L80E 2011 Chevy Caprice PPV 9C3 6.0L 1995 Chevy Caprice 9C1 1994 Chevy Caprice 9C1 #3 1995 Chevy Caprice Wagon #2 1995 Chevy Impala SS Mopar by night... 1969 Dodge Charger 1972 Chrysler Newport 2dr Hardtop (27K miles) Plus others... |
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10-16-2013, 10:17 AM | #12 | ||
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Re: How to pick a thermostat
Same here... 180's in anything before the TBI... then I go with 195's on the later model stuff.
Gary
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10-16-2013, 10:34 AM | #13 |
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Re: How to pick a thermostat
I run 195s in everything.
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'77 K35 - 454, SM465/NP205, 4.56 D60/14bFF |
10-16-2013, 05:05 PM | #14 | ||
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Re: How to pick a thermostat
Your climate down there is dang near the same as mine up here. Do you run those in the hot rods? Or just the stockers. If I could get any kind of benefit out of it... I'd switch the 'stat in my hot rod from a 180 to a 195.
Gary
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10-16-2013, 05:48 PM | #15 | |
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Re: How to pick a thermostat
Quote:
Yup. I don't see any benefit to running a 180, but I'm also pretty big on making sure my cooling systems are up to snuff.
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'77 K35 - 454, SM465/NP205, 4.56 D60/14bFF |
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10-16-2013, 08:05 PM | #16 |
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Re: How to pick a thermostat
I would run what the factory recommends. Engineers spent years designing this stuff for a reason.
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10-16-2013, 09:29 PM | #17 |
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Re: How to pick a thermostat
That statement is amusing to no end.
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'77 K35 - 454, SM465/NP205, 4.56 D60/14bFF |
10-17-2013, 11:28 AM | #18 | |||
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Re: How to pick a thermostat
Quote:
Gary
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'cuz chicks dig scars... My 1972 GMC 1500 Super Custom (Creeping Death) "long term" build thread. The Rebuild of Creeping Death after the wreck Quote:
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10-17-2013, 12:13 PM | #19 | |
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Re: How to pick a thermostat
Quote:
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11-03-2013, 08:03 PM | #20 |
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Re: How to pick a thermostat
Well I just did the flush, refill, coolant hoses and Thermostat change today at the house and I for one have always run 180 degree Thermostats in all my SB 350's. My take is that here in southern AZ. where temps in the summer get really hot and in winter may never reach freezing I can get away with the 180 and not use the 195. I did remove a 195 and put a 180 in with Peak Long Life 50/50. When temps are as they run here I think my engine gets plenty of ambient heat as well as internal. So anyways that's my thought on this subject.
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