180 degrees thermostat
 

I have a 383 stroker motor with a 3 core aluminum radiator with dual electric fans. I believe I currently have a 195 thermostat and am curious if it would be advisable to switch to a 180. I have read that ideal engine temp is 175 to 180 but OE is 195. I don't do any towing or anything like that. I do have ac as well. Thanks

Re: 180 degrees thermostat
 

Not worth the effort to change a thermostat

Re: 180 degrees thermostat
 

I would not worry about it unless you are having overheating issues. As to the radiator, you only have one core, same as every radiator on the planet. It may have 3 rows inside that one core? Not trying to be a jerk, just info. :metal:

Re: 180 degrees thermostat
 

x2

Re: 180 degrees thermostat
 

Yes, miss typed. Ment 3 row

Re: 180 degrees thermostat
 

It will run better with the hotter thermostat.

Re: 180 degrees thermostat
 

I took it out for a drive tonight and the temperature gauge got pretty hot before it finally started cooling down. The temperature gauge got to over 3/4 of the way and kept climbing until I shut it off. I then let it sit for a couple of minutes and fired it up again. It then started coming back down and sat just under half way after it started cycling the coolant. Could the thermostat just need to be replaced? I just put a new radiator in, and am still tweaking that. I think I got all the air purged, but not sure.

Re: 180 degrees thermostat
 

Scroll down to the second part of this article and read:

"The Function of the Thermostat & Cooling System Basics"


http://www.tuneruniversity.com/blog/...the-advantage/

The thermostate temp rating only determins the temp that it opens and the coolong system starts operation, the engine overheating is fully a result of the cooling system as a whole and the operating conditions, if its overheating it could be a number of things, a blocked or obstructed system, lack of air flow to the radiator ect..

Is this a new build or one thats been used for some time? anything else new?

Re: 180 degrees thermostat
 

It is not a new build, I have had this motor in for a while. The radiator is the only thing new. The temp only spikes up when I first turn it on and it heats up the 1st time. It gets to 3/4 on the temp gauge before the coolant starts cycling and then then it stays cool. It never got past the middle point on the gauge before now before the coolant started cycling. I am hoping I just haven't gotten all the air out of it since replacing the radiator.

Re: 180 degrees thermostat
 

Ok. Then i would say try a 180 at your leasure being as it raises up untill the thermostat opens then the temp drops. Your coollng system seems to be keeping the engine cooler than the thermostat thats in it. You could pull the old stat and put it in a pan of water and grab a cooking thermometer and find out at what temp its actually openng.. just don't tell the wife. ☺

Re: 180 degrees thermostat
 

I've got a 180 in my 402bbc and that seems to be right around the middle of the gauge range. You may have a t-stat that doesn't really start opening till 195, then cycles well after that. Seen that.

Or... where is your temp sender?

Re: 180 degrees thermostat
 

My sender is in my head by the exhaust. I have to replace the heater core, so I may just replace the thermostat then. Thanks.

Re: 180 degrees thermostat
 

your temp. is alot hotter in the head where you have the senser compared to where the temp is at the thermostat. thats why it seems hot. once the thermostat opens it sends fresh water through the heads which cools the sender down. next time leave it running till the thermostat opens, it should drop down. if it bothers you then change to a lower temp thermostat

Re: 180 degrees thermostat
 

My 402 has a 195 stat with a 3-row radiator, with the temp sender in the LH head. It runs at 30-35% on the gauge. Stock clutch fan. I have not connected a mechanical gauge to see what the actual temp is, but it seems to stay pretty cool. Does anyone know what the rating is on the stock electric gauge, as far as temperature?

Re: 180 degrees thermostat
 

I picked up a new 180 thermostat today and when I took the old one out, it was already a 180. Don't know if it is just sticking or what. I drilled a 1/8 hole in it and put the new one in. My old one appeared to already have a hole put in it. I have to replace the heater core next, so this will kind of get pushed to the side until I get that fixed.

Re: 180 degrees thermostat
 

myth