355 in a 1972 c10 Swb
 

Just curious to see if anyone knows the proper operating temperature for my small block? I put dual electric fans in it and I don't currently have a thermostat wired in. The fans just come on at key start. I was thinking of running around 190 degrees. It never gets above 150 now and I'm worried that's not hot enough. Also makes it hard for me to get the heater hot... Thoughts?
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Re: 355 in a 1972 c10 Swb
 

Your fans should definitely be thermostatically controlled but shouldn't make the engine run that cold. What temp is your t-stat?

Re: 355 in a 1972 c10 Swb
 

I don't have one yet. She's not a daily driver. Only got about 500 miles on the engine since rebuild. The fans are always on. That's why it runs so cold.
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Re: 355 in a 1972 c10 Swb
 

If your running the engine without a thermostat that's why it's so cold, the coolant can't stay in the engine long enough to heat up.
The opposite will occur in the summer time when it's 100 degrees out because the coolant won't stay in the radiator long enough to cool off.

Re: 355 in a 1972 c10 Swb
 

The stock t-stat should be a 180 degree.

Huck one in there pronto... :)

Gary