C1 thermostat

[Roy B.]

If your looking to get a real original one, this is what they look like.

[Mike E.]

Re: C1 thermostat

For what year/years?

[Roy B.]

Re: C1 thermostat

Because my thing is 53 to 57 only it's original.

[Joe L.]

Re: C1 thermostat

Mike-----

This style thermostat was used in Corvettes and virtually all other Chevrolet cars through the 1957 model year. It was also used in some Chevrolet vehicles, but not Corvettes, after 1957.

While this style may be original for 53-57 Corvettes, I don't recommend its use. A better idea is the Robertshaw/Honeywell "330" series thermostats with full flow. No one will even know that you've "sneaked" one inside your engine.

[Wayne M.]

Why not upgrade to 3156260 -- poppet pellet type

Roy, I have no doubt that your 3133596 is period-correct, but my '65 P&A30 shows 3156260 as correct 160 degree thermostat (SERVICE ?) for '38-62 Passenger and Corvette. Strangely the '70 P&A30B catalog claims only '53-59 Corvette.

Anyway, following Joe Lucia's footsteps, I've accumulated 35 of these puppies; enough for my lifetime (none for sale ). Click on link below auto-load pic.

[Joe L.]

Re: Why not upgrade to 3156260 -- poppet pellet ty

Wayne-----

The GM #3156260 and other poppet pellet type thermostats were used in PRODUCTION for most 1958 and later applications. For awhile, they "co-existed" in SERVICE with the earlier type and GM catalogs showed that either could be used for pre-58 applications. Finally, the earlier type was discontinued and replaced by the poppet pellet type for all applications.

The reason that the P&A catalog only shows the 3156260 as being applicable to 53-59 Corvettes is that, basically, those were the only year models that originally used a 160 degree thermostat. However, 1960 may also have and, if so, the P&A Catalog should really show the 3156260 as being applicable to 1953-60 Corvettes.

After 1960, higher opening temperature thermostats were used. First, these were 170 degrees for 1961-62. 1963-67 used 180 degree EXCEPT 66-67 with K-19 which used 195 degree. For 1968-82 both 180 degree and 195 degree were used, depending upon specific engine application.

In general, I go with GM/Delco parts for most things. Thermostats are an exception. I believe the merits and attributes of the Robertshaw/Honeywell thermostats are such that they "render obsolete" the Delco design. I have a few examples of most of the 53-82 thermostats in the collection for historical reference purposes. However, I'd never actually use any of these.

[Roy B.]

Re: Why not upgrade to 3156260 -- poppet pellet ty

I know of many people that collect things , me too =car shavers, but thermostats . Well any way I've used the bellow type in the C1's I've had and still do in my 55 and never ever had a problem. I just thought it interesting for others to see what a real original one looks like weather they use it or not. As I've stated before I like posting real first design original parts now and then so others that may wont to keep a pic. Record.
Always arguments over what a real part looks like compared to repro's. I wont real original parts in my 55 and have taken many years and money to do so, then sold the repro's I had to use till I found them. Some people are satisfied with using repro's, I understand but I like knowing my 55 is as correct original as I can make it.
I carry many certain parts with me because we drive it so much and collect extra original parts to have on hand. But that's me ! Some parts like my out side mirror is not top flight but original and real.

[Paul Bowers]

Re: C1 thermostat

joe
that thermostat that you suggested where does one get one and what degree is
I have a rebuilt 57 i still have a issue with guage going a little high 200 to 210 so just for info, what would the correct degree be thanks
paul

[Joe L.]

Re: C1 thermostat

Paul------

They're pretty easy to find. You should even be able to get one at most Kragen, Pep Boys, or Autozone stores. They are often sold under the Prestone brand, since Prestone is now owned by Honeywell. The one that you want is a 330-160.

Your 1957 original used a 160 degree thermostat. That's what you should probably continue with. Keep in mind, however, that a thermostat only controls an engine's MINIMUM operating temperature. Once the engine heats up, it keeps the engine from dropping below the set point of the thermostat. A thermostat does NOT control the maximum operating temperature of an engine. That is controlled by many other things, but the thermostat is not one of them.

One tip: almost as important as how high of a temperature that an engine sees is the temperature VARIATION the engine sees. If, for whatever reason, your engine normally operates at, say, 190 degrees, then you might be better off with a 170 or 180 degree thermostat. That would keep your engine's operating temperature in a narrower range than the 160 degree thermostat will. For example, if driving in the mountains and going downhill at 70 miles an hour, your engine gets down to the 160 degree minimum set by the thermostat, that may not be such a good thing. Having a 180 degree thermostat installed would ensure that your engine cooling system operates in a narrower range. That's a better situation.

If your cooling system, when functioning properly and with all components in good repair, can generate a normal operating temperature of, say, 170 degrees, then a 160 degree thermostat is the way to go.