How warm do you run?

[townethug]

So just a week or two ago I finished up installing my Upper and lower intake. Since then I have put about 200 miles on the car but it seems like its running alittle warmer then it used to. Once the car gets to operating temp it stays very steady at the half way point on the gauge. If I remember correctly, before in the install it would stay at the mark before the half way point regardless of the temperature outside. The car seems to run great so I don't think anything went wrong with the install.

I live in Maryland so we see a pretty even balance in temps, and its just starting to get warm out. I dont know if the car's temp will increase once we get into the 90+ degree weather.

Anyway, I had thought that replacing my thermostat with one of the 180 high flow stats might remedy this.

I guess my questions are these: Should I worry about the replacing my thermostat? and If yes, which * should I get?

 

[iwashmycar]

im up near 195-200.

you should probably get an autometer gauge....very good investment. I have no idea what the 1/2 way point on the stocker is supposed to be haha

i wouldnt change anything if there are no problems with whats there though. wait and see when it gets hot out

 

[ninety15.0]

I run a 180* t-stat and keep track of it with an autometer pro-comp mechanical gauge....and i run dead nuts at 180* once the car is warm. Get a good gauge and see what the real temp is. Secondly the ECT sensor sending unit is in the lower intake so perhaps upon installation the sending unit was changed slightly...either in position or wiring. the car is probably fine...but get a good t-stat and gauge.

 

[SVT32VDOHC]

I have stock motor in my notch. I have a new water pump, hoses, 180*T-stat, and fresh anti-freeze...my gauge is 1 notch below half way. I drove it all day yesterday...it was 81* yesterday, and it stayed there....in 40-50* weather my car is at 2, or 2-1/2 below halfway.

I would definately put in a new T-stat, if you already did not....and if you did, (and used a 195*) then try a 180. I have put 180's in all my 5.0L in the past years, and they always ran good.

 

[HISSIN50]

Another vote for a real gauge before you make any inferences. A fresh (Mr Gasket) t-stat is never a bad idea but I'd want to know what temps I'm running at before deciding which stat to get.

If you keep it at or below 220*F, you should be alright. Personally, I like to stay at 200 or under, whereas some other folks (like Vristang) whom are familiar with the physics involved, prefer to run slightly above 200.

Good luck.

 

[Stroker5.0]

Townethug

I also live in Maryland and when my 93 Notch was a baby 5.0 form what I remember it never ran close to half way. I wanted to know what the temp really was and I installed a temp gauge and oil pressure gauge in the dash. I have a 331 with 10.1 compression 180deg stat, HD 3 row radiator and pulleys and it runs at 183 degrees all day long. Unless I am sitting in some hellacious traffic on 695

 

[Flavadave4]

I run in the middle 90% of the time

 

[onefstsnake]

With a 180* Mr Gasket T-Stat and Auto Meter Temp gauge im at 180* most of the time. In heavy traffic it will get to ~ 200* before I flip the fan on.

Honestly my car runs cooler with the new intake. Maybe because the coolant ports arent all gunked up like the stocker was.

 

[townethug]

Ok, so it sounds like getting a new temp gauge is the first step and possibly a new t-stat seems like the way to go. I will prob get the 180* stat anyway, since this weekend or the next I am going to drain the anti-freeze again and flush the system. When I drained the system to put the new upper and lower, i noticed the radiator was starting to have some build up inside. Also, do I need to worry about the high flow 180* stat fitting with my orginal stat housing or would it be fine?

stroker how do you have a 331 and still pass emissions. One thing I need to figure out is if I should go stroker or sc. My one fear with the stroker is being able to make the power I want while still passing emissions. Oh by the way, 695 sucks the big one, and i drive it every day. Luckly my stang is a weekend car.

 

[daddystang]

I also live in Maryland, and I use a mechanical temp guage and a 180 high flow t-stat with my stock housing. Last summer after installing the new motor while moving it runs around 180-185 in hot weather, but come to a stop for a while and it creaps up to 200-210 degrees. I am going to go to a dccontrol.com integral fan and controller. Go with the 180 t-stat and you should be good to go. Oh yeah, I agree 695 does stink. Good luck to you....