Krister- The hotter you run your engine, the more efficient it gets, which is why new cars tend to run between 200 and 230 degrees. Same reason Nascar runs theirs so hot. On the other hand a cooler engine with a cooler intake charge will tend to make more power.
I was taught to drill a hole in the flange of the tstat years ago by a guy who had been wrenching since dirt was new. It does 2 things: When you do the initial fill of an engine with coolant, it allows the air to escape while the coolant comes up under the thermostat. Without coolant on the thermostat to make it hot, it may not open at all and seriously overheat your engine. The other reason is that each time you start your engine up cold, the water pump is pushing coolant out the bottom of the pump, up through the radiator through the upper hose and against the tstat. Having that small hole there allows the pressure to release somewhat, making it less likely to blow a hose somewhere. Devin _____ From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, April 26, 2007 1:43 PM To: Chevelle List Subject: [Chevelle-list] Thermostat ?'s I am replacing a leaking thermostat gasket and will replace thermostat while apart. Currently it has a 195* and works fine holding temp a 195*. Autoparts store suggested to put a 180* to run it a little cooler. Good, Bad or Indifferent? Secondly: I have read in the past about drilling an 1/8” hole in the thermostat flange to relieve an air bubble if it forms at the thermostat. Anyone do this? Autoparts store said many already come with a hole. The Stant I bought did not. Thank you, Krister Meister '66 SS #'s No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.463 / Virus Database: 269.6.1/776 - Release Date: 4/25/2007 12:19 PM No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.467 / Virus Database: 269.6.1/778 - Release Date: 4/27/2007 1:39 PM
