I ordered a new thermostat for my hemi project. The ousing has casting number 2780987. I ordered a thermostat for 69 440/383 which should have worked for that housing. IIRC, the housing was used from 67 to 70. When I place the thermostat on th ehousing it partially falls in. The thermostat is about 2" in diameter. I recall wider thermostats in last project. A wider one would sit in the recess on the water neck nicely and sit on the housing without falling in. Is this a common issue? I am guessing the thermostat is a generic listed part at NAPA. I wont be able to get there until Tuesday. Is there another part to use? Thanks.

You got the wrong thermostat. What part number did they sell you?

iirc my 83 cordoba 318 used the small dia stat with the offset stat housing flange. Yes you need the larger dia one & I think the dimention is greater than 2"

I don't recall part number. I tossed the box last week. I'll have NAPA look it up again, but Ill bring the water next with me. If anyone has a stant part number, that could help.

Thanks.

OT I would get a 180/185 or even a 190, definitely not a 160

Why?

Motor runs more efficiently at the slightly higher temps.

Motor runs better at this temp and the cooling system does not struggle as much to keep your engine cooler than it was designed to operate.. In my opinion 160 t stats are a BAD idea....

How does a cooling system "struggle"?

Because of its childhood...

I don't understand the "struggle" either.
For really cold climates I can understand the need for a higher temp thermostat .
But for cars like mine that will never seen anything lower than 50 deg, I don't see why it's a bad idea to run a 160 thermostat.

The thermostats won't make the car run any cooler, it just starts the process earlier, the natural temp of the engine will be whatever it is. My car always runs around 200-210, and I'd like it to run cooler.

Always looking to learn...........

Years of abuse and neglect...(and use of 160 degree thermostats, flex fans and ??????)

Thermostat also allows the engine to warm up quicker by forcing the coolant inside the engine to recirculate inside the engine.

Yes you wanna get completely out of that "warming up zone" where eng wear is the greatest (by far), as quick as possible.

I thought this was about the thermostat falling into the housing,how soon we stray !!

I agree with Robert. I have learn this the hard way more than once. Always thinking the cooler it runs the better, but there's a limit. I have a 160 in my crate engine stroked 360 (410 cubes). I left the old cop radiator in the car and figured I will need the 160. Nope, never really fully warms up and I live in steamy Florida. I am going to swap it out for a 180 or 190.

More than once I have read that six pack equipped engines should use a 190 degree thermostat to lessen the chance that raw fuel will 'pool' on the floor of the intake manifold. Uncertain of the validity of the theory, does sound reasonable, likely no downside so I do follow this advice.

Yes it is, but when you see a potential problem with a combination I would appreciate it if someone were to bring it to my attention????

All interesting reading. NAPA cross referenced the Stant number and I got the right one. 180 deg F. I also made sure to drill 1/8" hole to let air escape as I fill the system.