Since there has been a clear trend from 180 on up to 207+ coolant temperatures think about experimenting there. Since there is good older evidence that 140 - 160 is best for peak high rpm power, those higher coolant temps were adopted to increase fuel economy at lower cruise rpms.
185 thermostats have been the specified rating since at least the 40's. Nothing to do with economy, everything to do with decreased engine wear not to mention oil sludging.
A 180 thermostat doesn't being to open until 3 or so degrees of its rated temp- so 177. Full open temp is 15-20 degrees above the rated temp. Most engine wear happens on startup and is not because of a 180 vs 205 thermostat.
You would be wrong. Go peruse the image I attached to my prior post. Begins opening at 157-162 degrees, fully open at 183-187 degrees. Uses the same thermostat as the pre-79 v8's and the values were confirmed this last weekend with my IR gun.
The rated temperature is the fully open temperature.
