|
When does a thermostat start to open?
#448012
08/24/09 11:51 AM
08/24/09 11:51 AM
|
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 115 Tampa Bay
BadFishy
OP
member
|
OP
member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 115
Tampa Bay
|
I think I have a defective thermostat. Ever since I put it in the car seems to run too cool, and the stock gauge reads lower too. I took it back out and did the boil/candy thermometer method. It is a 180 degree thermostat, but starts to open at 165, and is fully open at 180 or so. Is this correct? I thought it was supposed to start to open at 180, fully open at around 195 or so.
1971 Cuda, 440 custom-build
|
|
|
Re: When does a thermostat start to open?
[Re: BadFishy]
#448013
08/24/09 12:17 PM
08/24/09 12:17 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,065 Niles , Ohio
therocks
oh wait.but hey.lets see.oh yeah.
|
oh wait.but hey.lets see.oh yeah.
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,065
Niles , Ohio
|
Its a 180 stat not a 195.180 means its open at 180.Id say 165 starting is a little low but better than getting too hot.Lots of guys here would like to have your problem.Most overheat.If you want it hotter get a 195.My 440 has a 180 and runs just about that all the time.What gauge do you have?If its gactory dont trust it as they are known for being off.Rocky
Chrysler Firepower
|
|
|
Re: When does a thermostat start to open?
[Re: therocks]
#448014
08/24/09 12:40 PM
08/24/09 12:40 PM
|
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,949 land of 10,000______'s
BDS871Cuda
top fuel
|
top fuel
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,949
land of 10,000______'s
|
I went to Napa and got a 185 and it opens at 175. The aftermarket gauge reads about 179-181 which is fine for me. It will get to 185-186 when I put my foot in it.
Snap your neck, mega G-force launch, is all I want!
|
|
|
Re: When does a thermostat start to open?
[Re: BDS871Cuda]
#448015
08/24/09 12:55 PM
08/24/09 12:55 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,319 Puyallup, WA
StealthWedge67
master
|
master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,319
Puyallup, WA
|
Sounds about right. I run a Mr. Gasket High-flow 180 thermostat, and my car typically runs at about 175, by the guage.
LemonWedge - Street heavy / Strip ready - 11.07 @ 120
|
|
|
Re: When does a thermostat start to open?
[Re: BadFishy]
#448016
08/24/09 07:55 PM
08/24/09 07:55 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 115 Tampa Bay
BadFishy
OP
member
|
OP
member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 115
Tampa Bay
|
Thanks for the input guys, Since the time of my post, I did some reading and testing. I found that the thermostat RATING (stamped) indicates when it first begins to open, but is not fully open until temps increase above that, which can be 10-20 degrees. (That also explains why a thermostat is there - to provide a MINIMUM temp for the engine.) I then went out and bought two Stant Superstat 180 degree thermostats, since I read various opinions that they were the most accurate. I boiled them. Guess what? BOTH started to open at 180 give or take a couple degrees, and fully opened at about 195 or so. SO, my original IS defective, since it started to open at about 165 degrees, even though it is stamped a 180. By the way, the defective one was a Duralast that I bought at Autozone, so I probably would avoid that brand in the future. Out to the garage I go to install the new one! Bye now!
1971 Cuda, 440 custom-build
|
|
|
|
|
|