Joe Lucia - 160 Stat

[ed styczynski]

Joe, read your post and for my own info why not a 160 Stat in a 65? Thanks.

[Joe L.]

Re: Joe Lucia - 160 Stat

Ed------

Several reasons:

First but not foremost, there is such a thing as an engine running too cool. Better efficiency is obtained at higher operating temperatures. I think that 180 is about ideal.

Second and most important, the cooling system of a 1965 Corvette, regardless of engine, is not capable of maintaining a 160 degree temperature except in the least demanding of operating conditions. So, the temperature might sometimes run as low as 160 but other times as high as 210 (or even higher). With a 160 degree thermostat installed, you end up with a wide RANGE of operating temperatures. This is not a good thing.

With a 180 degree thermostat installed, one ends up with a narrower range of operating temperatures and, even at the low end, a temperature that the cooling system can actually maintain through a good percentage of operating conditions AND a temperature at which the engine operates very efficiently.

Often forgotten by many folks: a thermostat only controls the LOWEST temperature that an engine will operate at (after warming up, of course) and DOES NOT control the highest temperature that will occur. The capacity of the cooling system to reject heat in a given ambient temperature controls the latter.

[Joe C.]

Re: Joe Lucia - 160 Stat

Ed,

Because 180 is specified. AFAIK, they went to a 180 once alcohol based antifreeze was abandoned after 1963, in favor of ethylene glycol based. From '60 to '63, 170 was specified.
In any case, it won't matter anyway, so long as you drive your 396 in warm weather. The low temp stat will only affect op temp when driving in cold weather.

Joe

[Loren L.]

If you live in a place like Arizona in the

summer, the earlier that the thermostat opens, the better. You do NOT rely on lab tests about how much more efficiently the motor runs in a lab experiment when the outside temperature is 112 degrees. You want the motor to LIVE.

[Verle R.]

Re: If you live in a place like Arizona in the

Loren,

If you kept the engine below 6500 RPM you would not have any problems.

Verle

[ed styczynski]

Re: If you live in a place like Arizona in the

Thanks one and all for the info - I just finished replacing hoses and antifreeze getting ready for the National. I was told that putting in a 160 stat would be good. I drilled a hole in it ( as I learned here ) and put it in. Even in the very hot weather we have been having everytime I have taken it out it has stayed right around 180 after warm up. Once again appreciate all the replys. By the way I'm running a Dewitt repro. which has always run cooler than the original I replaced.