What would be a good thermostat to run in a 1972 350 chevy?

[HeavyHauler]

My friend has a 350 Chevy in his 1972 C10 and is wondering what thermostat would be good to put in it? His truck does not have AC if that makes a difference.

[MARKDTN]

When I was younger I did not like temps to go over 180, but 195 with antifreeze is just fine. You also get better combustion. Go with a good quality 195 t-stat. I like Robertshaw myself.

[franken]

The thermostat begins to open at the rated temp. It has no effect on the eventual operating temp of the engine unless the temp goes below the opening temp.
NAPA says 180* is correct, or rather that's the temp you get if you search for one for that vehicle.

[MS66]

Originally Posted by franken

The thermostat begins to open at the rated temp. It has no effect on the eventual operating temp of the engine unless the temp goes below the opening temp.
NAPA says 180* is correct, or rather that's the temp you get if you search for one for that vehicle.

NAPA....
They came with 195. That's what they're designed to run. Never had an issue with it, truck runs like a top at operating temp.

[Craftwerks]

If you are in a region where it gets really cold and you have to frequently deal with frozen ice on windows I would go with the 195 but if further south or if its a garage strored vehicle and only driven in pleasant weather a 180 would be friendlier to your cooling system and needs.

[Rust_never_sleeps]

Wouldn't the 180 open sooner, put warm air on the glass sooner, and defrost/de-ice the glass sooner?
I'm baffled

[Richard]

Originally Posted by Rust_never_sleeps

Wouldn't the 180 open sooner, put warm air on the glass sooner, and defrost/de-ice the glass sooner?
I'm baffled

Yes it will open at the lower temp than a 195. It will not put warm air on the glass any sooner. Engine will warm the same with either thermostat. The 180 will circulate coolant sooner keeping temperature lower.

[Rust_never_sleeps]

Originally Posted by Richard

Yes it will open at the lower temp than a 195. It will not put warm air on the glass any sooner. Engine will warm the same with either thermostat. The 180 will circulate coolant sooner keeping temperature lower.

Water wouldn't warm up faster with the 180F+water circulating into the radiator(+heater core) sooner?

[Richard]

Originally Posted by Rust_never_sleeps

Water wouldn't warm up faster with the 180F+water circulating into the radiator(+heater core) sooner?

How could the water warm up faster? The engine heats up and water temp will will rise at the same rate with either t-stat. The 180 stat will open and start circulating at 15 degrees cooler than a stock thermostat. Net result is lower cooling system temps. The heater core has the water flowing through it regardless of t-stat position. The heater core will have 15 degree lower temps at full operating temp with the cooler t-stat.

[Rust_never_sleeps]

Originally Posted by Richard

How could the water warm up faster? The engine heats up and water temp will will rise at the same rate with either t-stat. The 180 stat will open and start circulating at 15 degrees cooler than a stock thermostat. Net result is lower cooling system temps. The heater core has the water flowing through it regardless of t-stat position. The heater core will have 15 degree lower temps at full operating temp with the cooler t-stat.

Warm water starts leaving the block sooner, so the water in the rad and also heater core starts mixing with that warm water sooner. To me that means the core starts moving warm(not hot) water earlier. Not saying I can't be completely wrong, but

Full operating temp is going to be the same regardless of opening temp though.

[Richard]

The original owners manual from my 72 lists a 195. That is what OEM stated for as long as I know. My 85, 94 and 2000 are/were the same as well.

[MS66]

Originally Posted by Richard

The original owners manual from my 72 lists a 195. That is what OEM stated for as long as I know. My 85, 94 and 2000 are/were the same as well.

Thanks for posting this.
I just pulled the owner's manual out for my '69 G10, it says the same thing; 195 degree thermostat for all models.

[franken]

"If the operating temp remains the same with a 195 and 180 stat the cooling system capacity is not adequate."

The thermostat has nothing to do with the final temp of the coolant once the engine is warmed up. The thermostat isn't there and has no way to do anything other than restrict coolant flow and allow the engine (and therefore the oil) to get warm quicker.

This is at least the 3rd time in this thread that someone has claimed the thermostat determines engine temp, which is nonsense.

[Richard]

Originally Posted by franken

"If the operating temp remains the same with a 195 and 180 stat the cooling system capacity is not adequate."

The thermostat has nothing to do with the final temp of the coolant once the engine is warmed up. The thermostat isn't there and has no way to do anything other than restrict coolant flow and allow the engine (and therefore the oil) to get warm quicker.

This is at least the 3rd time in this thread that someone has claimed the thermostat determines engine temp, which is nonsense.

Read what I said and think about it. Yes, the coolant system capacity determines operating temp. What I said.

[zicc1835]

im glad you all settled that I use a 165 in my 327

[franken]

Originally Posted by zicc1835

im glad you all settled that I use a 165 in my 327

Your engine will be happier and healthier with one hotter...

[Carl Spangler]

For my 71 with a 250: I switched to a 180 to help mitigate post shutdown carb heat soak. The lower temp thermostat definitely helped keep the fuel from boiling after shutdown. Ran it like that for a couple years. I finally got fed up with the looooooong warm up cycles and went back to a 195 degree. Engine runs a LOT better with the warmer thermostat. I just have to raise the hood when I park the truck in the garage after a drive to minimize carb fuel boil.

[MS66]

Originally Posted by Carl Spangler

For my 71 with a 250: I switched to a 180 to help mitigate post shutdown carb heat soak. The lower temp thermostat definitely helped keep the fuel from boiling after shutdown. Ran it like that for a couple years. I finally got fed up with the looooooong warm up cycles and went back to a 195 degree. Engine runs a LOT better with the warmer thermostat. I just have to raise the hood when I park the truck in the garage after a drive to minimize carb fuel boil.

Sounds identical to my '68 250 truck. I didn't like the 180 in it, and I do sometimes get fuel boil after shut down but nothing I can't deal with. 195 staying in it from now on.

[zicc1835]

well im convinced im changing my 327 to a 195 and the 350 im getting ready for the Doc & Kim build to a 195 also .....as usual ...if you read and can listen this board is a wealth of good solid info
thank you

[Shifty One]

I'd go with a good 180, preferrably the Robert Shaw/Mr Gasket hi-flow version.

[HeavyHauler]

Thanks guys I will tell him to get the 180.

[MS66]

Pretty sure they came with 195 degree thermostat.

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by MS66

Pretty sure they came with 195 degree thermostat.

I was thinking that too. Also, the heater/defroster works better with a 195.

[Luke87gt]

I went with a RockAuto Gates 180* stat

If everything in the cooking system is working well, you don’t need anything special in the thermostat department. Good luck