Too hot of a thermostat?

pyroman

Founding Member
Jul 28, 2002
480
3
18
Ennis, Texas
I bought what I think was a 190* thermostat for my 67. My car has a mild 302 roller motor and I went with a hotter than stock thermostat because I had heard the engine will actually run better at higher temperatures. Stock is 160* or 180*? Anyway, what thermostat should I be running? Seems to be the one I have is keeping the engine up past the halfway mark on temperature gauge consistently and it's winter.
 
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IMO
efi motor- 190
carb motor- 160 or 180 depending on where you live

Why would that make a difference?, Besides, my question was asked of a Ford engineer who actually helped design the original Mustang, and he insisted the engine was designed for 190. Fuel efficiency, power, corrosion resistance are all better at 190. And yeah, the radiator works better, and the heater works better at 190.
 
Why would that make a difference?, Besides, my question was asked of a Ford engineer who actually helped design the original Mustang, and he insisted the engine was designed for 190. Fuel efficiency, power, corrosion resistance are all better at 190. And yeah, the radiator works better, and the heater works better at 190.
thats why I said IMO = in my opinion. thats what Id do, thread starter can decide for himself
 
Power wise I haven't compared directly, but wonder myself. Oil is thinner hotter. cooler should be better, but comes with it's own problems. thicker oil and cooler manifold. I guess it would be better as long as the fuel isn't sticking to the manifold, which I seriously doubt at 160 deg. Not any more than normal for a carb anyways. I go for 180-190. You want the oil hot enough to get rid of the water in the oil.Oil needs to be about 215.
 
160* is too cold IMO. You are going to see increased engine wear this low. Definately use a thinner oil if you are going to use a 160* T-stat.

Personally, I think 180*-190* is where you want to be. Most newer vehicles are designed to run with the temp in the 210* area.
 
Power wise I haven't compared directly, but wonder myself. Oil is thinner hotter. cooler should be better, but comes with it's own problems. thicker oil and cooler manifold. I guess it would be better as long as the fuel isn't sticking to the manifold, which I seriously doubt at 160 deg. Not any more than normal for a carb anyways. I go for 180-190. You want the oil hot enough to get rid of the water in the oil.Oil needs to be about 215.

you are right about the oil, but the best performance with gasoline comes when you have ice cold fuel hitting a hot intake floor. that gives you maximum vaporization, and thus best mixture burn in the combustion chambers, which means best overall efficiency.