will d

i have been running a 160 thermostat in a 40 over 318 for about a thousand miles, it doesn't get much over the temp gauges first notch, anybody been running the same in their setup and put alot of miles on it? or should i be worried about moisture and acid buildup in my oil at these temps?. idk if the thinner cylinder walls might produce more heat or what. enlighten me please

SCAMP TRAMP

Will that is normal for the gauge to be really low with that stat, and you are correct about the oil and you should change it alittle more often depending on how you use the car - the motor will start to sludge up big time if you don't and I've seen it many times taking motors apart, thinner walls wont increese heat, a lean mixture, wrong timing and carbon build up will ...... I had no problems running a 165 stat and still do on most of my builds ...... good luck man, Scamp

will d

just look at the oil i guess and if its getting black, or milky change it? or runn a 180? what you think? coolant holding gaskets are a peeve for me, i want to baby them i guess

SCAMP TRAMP

No stick with a 165 stat and use really good oil, I would change it every 2500 miles max again depending how you drive it, all oil has additives & detergents to try and prevent sludge but it still forms and when an engine runs below 180 its harder for it to burn it off - some people might frown at this but I've been hot rodding a long time and a little trick I do before I change the oil is drain a litre of oil out of the pan and top it up with Dextron trans fluid, sounds crazy yes but it is the chepest, fastest and cleanest way to flush the motor of nasty ****, run at idle for 15 min and drain with no damage what so ever to the motor - I have friends who do 4 10 w 30 & 1 trans fluid and drive for the 2500 miles no problem and the inside is spotless .... the pic is of a 318 the owner never took care of ..... I will post the pic's after I do the flush

67 GTX

i would stick with that thermostat, unless you live in a really cold area

SCAMP TRAMP

lol yes the cold like the 4c we have in Toronto today.... its Big Block weather in Canada lmao

Archer

Wild -

The problem with running too cold is that you may not blow off condensation fast enough. If you're getting to 160 fast enough after start up, you're probably fine.

I was running a 160 until last week, and am currently running without a t-stat (different thread). The temp is happy in the 160 - 170 range and that makes me happy.

Archer

johnthegoalie

i live in the desert, hits a buck twenty for a few months straight and i run nothing less than a 190.
optimal operating temperature is just above 200, you want it to cycle.