Which Thermostat?

Posted By: DartGTDan

Which Thermostat? - 03/28/12 01:00 AM

Going to install the LD4B intake manifold and Performer 600 4-bbl carburetor on my stone stock '71 318 Dart GT (auto, 3.23:1 8 3/4" sure-grip, 2 1/4" duals with factory exhaust manifolds) soon.

Stopped by the auto parts store for a couple of things, one of which is a new thermostat. The parts guy said OE part is rated at 195*, but has 180* and 160* available. Which should I use with the combination above? (BTW I also picked up the Fel-Pro 1213 intake manifold gasket set (water crossovers blocked off)).

Any advice/direction is appreciated!

Posted By: 71yelladustr

Re: Which Thermostat? - 03/28/12 01:06 AM

195 degreee is too warm for a performance application. I see you are from up north and may want to use a 180 if you want some good heat in the cold months. Othewise i'd use a 160 stat. The cooler the engine runs, the less chance for detonation. It will make more power also with the engine staying cooler.

Posted By: Pacnorthcuda

Re: Which Thermostat? - 03/28/12 01:06 AM

I like 180's, other people like 195's. (I want to KNOW my Tstat is FULLY open by 190ish)

DON'T use a 160, too cold, slow to warm up.

Posted By: RapidRobert

Re: Which Thermostat? - 03/28/12 01:29 AM

195. Check your choice suspended in a pot of heated water

Posted By: DARTH V8Я

Re: Which Thermostat? - 03/28/12 01:32 AM

Quote:

195. Check your choice suspended in a pot of heated water

195 for me too.. but I prefer my engines to run in the 190-200 range

Posted By: roe

Re: Which Thermostat? - 03/28/12 01:47 AM

I have a 180 on mine now. It lets me keep my temps right around 185-195ish. I see on here a lot that guys dont want their motors to run too warm but a small little observation of mine is that these motors seem to run just fine even at around 210-215 or so. I have the stock dummy guage and and aftermarket temp guage hooked up. When my guage is reading 190, its barely registering as warm on the stock guage. When it used to read about 210, it was sitting smack dab in the middle of the stock guage, and the motor ran just fine. I think too many people worry about a 200-210 temp for no reason. If my temps were to run around 200-210 and held steady, I wouldnt worry about now that I've seem my motor run fine at that temp. Thats my

, for whatever thats worth.

roe

Posted By: Mr.Yuck

Re: Which Thermostat? - 03/28/12 01:52 AM

180*

Posted By: MoparforLife

Re: Which Thermostat? - 03/28/12 02:27 AM

Quote:

I have a 180 on mine now. It lets me keep my temps right around 185-195ish. I see on here a lot that guys dont want their motors to run too warm but a small little observation of mine is that these motors seem to run just fine even at around 210-215 or so. I have the stock dummy guage and and aftermarket temp guage hooked up. When my guage is reading 190, its barely registering as warm on the stock guage. When it used to read about 210, it was sitting smack dab in the middle of the stock guage, and the motor ran just fine. I think too many people worry about a 200-210 temp for no reason. If my temps were to run around 200-210 and held steady, I wouldnt worry about now that I've seem my motor run fine at that temp. Thats my , for whatever thats worth.

roe

Better lubrication and cleaner running with at least a 180 preferrably the 190