RE: [Chevelle-List] thermostat recommendations?

[Dave Studly]

Dan,  I’ve always used 180 degree thermostats in my small blocks.  Allegedly, a hotter thermostat will offer a little better milage, while colder ones offer better performance.  In my not-so-humble opinion, I think 160 stats are too cold for street use, although I know many people do run them.    My 400 always runs a little warmer than 180, unless it’s below 70 degrees out.  This morning, caught in that mess on 480 Westbound, where I idled the better part of three miles, my engine never went over 195.  I have an electric fan from a GM3.8  FWD.  My ’72 Elky (stock 350, stock fan & shroud) also runs a 180 thermostat and I’ve never had any problems with it either, although I don’t have a temp gauge.   210 is on the high end of safe.  At 220, I’d turn the heater on or let the car cool down a bit.   As for tips to lower the temp, change the thermostat and make sure the shroud is properly fitted against the radiator.  The fan blades should be partially in the shroud.  I’ve never used Redline Water Wetter before, but have heard of people having success with it on many occasions.  Also, while not easy to diagnose, the water pump could be suspect if the impeller blades are corroded away, not circulating as much water as it should.   -Dave     -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]On Behalf Of Dan McIntosh Sent: Thursday, June 26, 2003 3:59 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [Chevelle-List] thermostat recommendations?   Howdy.. On the way to a show the other day, my car got up to about 220�F. I think the current thermostat is a 210�F unit... This was in stop and go traffic on a high 80's, low 90's type of day... I am running the stock 5 blade fan, and a full shroud. It is a 1971 El Camino 350 engine.. in a 1964 Impala Is this a common operating temp for this motor? What do you all commonly do to reduce the temp... I used water wetter in my Mustang, and it seemed to work OK, but it could have been the placebo effect...   Thanks people!     Dan McIntosh Pavement Scraping 1964 Impala SS http://www.alloldchevy.com