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  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

thermostat

  • Thread starter Thread starter 93GtMustang50
  • Start date Start date May 23, 2010
9

93GtMustang50

New Member
Jul 23, 2009
63
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0
Orlando
May 23, 2010
#1
  • May 23, 2010
  • #1
My mustang needs a new readiator. I plan on getting a fluidyne. At the same time I plan on replacing the thermostat. Should I go with the 180 or the 195? I dont have any cooling issues except for the bad radiator. Which do you guys think will work best?
 

2000xp8

SN Certified Technician
Aug 8, 2003
8,035
1,625
194
NJ
May 23, 2010
#2
  • May 23, 2010
  • #2
180
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,264
17,952
224
Massachusetts
May 23, 2010
#3
  • May 23, 2010
  • #3
Stock 195
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
34
129
May 23, 2010
#4
  • May 23, 2010
  • #4
Since you're in Orlando and assuming you had a stock-rated stat in there already and liked the temps it ran at, I'd use a parts store 180* or a balanced 195*. Both will be a little cooler than the stock rated stat.

If you want more, then get a balanced 180*F stat.
 
J

Jmunk

Member
Sep 30, 2007
95
1
6
May 23, 2010
#5
  • May 23, 2010
  • #5
In Orlando I would get a 180.
 

Shakerhood

20+ Year Stangneter
Oct 28, 2004
3,357
209
114
Ohio
May 25, 2010
#6
  • May 25, 2010
  • #6
I have had a 180 in for several years, but the next time Flush everything out I will be going back to the Stock 192.
 

stykthyn

I want to measure mine. It doesn't look that tall.
15 Year Member
Jul 6, 2006
5,232
2,652
223
gainesville
May 25, 2010
#7
  • May 25, 2010
  • #7
I am in florida as well and I run the stock 192. no problems here so far.
 

twistedwankel

Member
Sep 7, 2006
200
0
17
Spring Hill, FL
May 25, 2010
#8
  • May 25, 2010
  • #8
stykthyn said:
I am in florida as well and I run the stock 192. no problems here so far.
Click to expand...

+1
Running stock 195F in both 84 and 86 no issues in FL and do autocrossing in these cars. Stock motors and both AOD. My thoughts are that in other (turbo) cars I've owned the lower 180 temp got worse mileage but provided a richer mixture for the engine - also running the cars slightly cooler under full load racing.
 
9

93GtMustang50

New Member
Jul 23, 2009
63
0
0
Orlando
May 25, 2010
#9
  • May 25, 2010
  • #9
so is there any benefit other then running slightly lower temperature to getting a 180 over a 195? I feel if I install my fluidyne radiator and the 180 it may run too cool...is that possible? Like i said, I've never had any cooling problems with the car other then the leaky radiator...
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
34
129
May 25, 2010
#10
  • May 25, 2010
  • #10
The stat rating itself doesn't matter. What does matter is the actual operating temperature of the vehicle. A stock stat might not open fully till about 210*F, which doesn't leave a lot of fudge factor.

TwistedWankel, what kind of operating temps do you see while Auto-Xing?
 

twistedwankel

Member
Sep 7, 2006
200
0
17
Spring Hill, FL
May 27, 2010
#11
  • May 27, 2010
  • #11
HISSIN50 said:
The stat rating itself doesn't matter. What does matter is the actual operating temperature of the vehicle. A stock stat might not open fully till about 210*F, which doesn't leave a lot of fudge factor.

TwistedWankel, what kind of operating temps do you see while Auto-Xing?
Click to expand...

On a 90+ day (hot pavement 100+) and 50-60 second 1st-2nd gear course temp will rise max 1/16th scale for a couple minutes after two back to back re-runs. Car is always up to normal temp before I race. Normally a single run with 3-5 minutes between them has no effect at all. I can touch the radiator with my fingers and the liquid level is stabil. More concerned about keeping the AOD cool than the motor. I should mention both my motors are bone stock other than exhausts with NO power adders.

I know I should buy a "real temp gage" but never felt the need for extended track time as cannot afford the tires. Promise, some day I will buy Autometers as they look really cool.

This is not very "scientific" but I tried.

Put a Centigrade oven thermometer in the little bowl on the thermostat housing and filled it with water. Also checked the temp of the water pump housing.

So this "external" temp of housings was max of 60C which is x1.8 + 32 = 140F if my conversions work. No way of checking actual liquid temp. but knew the thermostat was open to make the hose hot, etc.

Nothing to be concerned about as my in car temp gage was reading "just a hair above straight up" idling. I could hold my fingers on the radiator metal housing and hoses for a couple of seconds with no issue but it was hot not leaving any skin. And my liquid level in the overflow was dead normal when cold and hot. My gage no longer "ever" reads above 1/16" past normal straight up since I replaced the thermostat in the right direction.
 

89stang1

Stroked and Juiced
10 Year Member
Nov 5, 2008
730
234
74
nj
May 28, 2010
#12
  • May 28, 2010
  • #12
i would put nothing but a 180 in a foxbody........do not buy a Mr Gasket Thermostat!
 
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