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Discussion Topic:
160 vs. 190 degree thermostats
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Old Henry |
09-16-2012 @ 1:38 PM
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Senior
Posts: 738
Joined: Apr 2010
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The Operator's Manual for my '47 says regarding thermostats: "Starts to open - 150 to 155 deg Fully open - 170 deg." Looks like Mr. Ford recommended 160 stats rather than 190's so that's what I use - 160's. Still get plenty warm in the winter to burn us out inside. Gives a little "headstart" to the cooling system in the summer so maybe won't end up so high. Old Henry (The older I get, the better old looks.)
This message was edited by Old Henry on 9-16-12 @ 1:38 PM
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40cpe |
09-16-2012 @ 6:30 AM
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Member
Posts: 473
Joined: Jan 2010
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My observation of thermostats is that they will start to open well below their rated temp, and are designed to be fully open at the rated temp. I had 160* stats in an OHV car and it only got to 145 in the winter. I had to put 180 in to get to 160.
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kubes40 |
09-16-2012 @ 5:26 AM
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Senior
Posts: 3399
Joined: Oct 2009
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David, Thermostats are deigned to "trap" the coolant within the engine block until that coolant reaches a prescribed temperature. Once that temperature within the block has been reached, the thermostats open and allow the coolant to flow through the entire system which of course includes the radiator. If your engine is now running between 160° and 170°, then I might suggest you do nothing more. The old adage "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" comes to mind. Me? I run 160° thermostats in all of my restorations and get very good results. I have always been of the school that if the engine and cooling system have been properly rebuilt / prepared, there is no need for overflow tanks, high volume water pumps, etc. Those are little more than BandAids utilized to mask the real problems. Similar to the usage of 8v. batteries for guys with cars that don't start well... nothing more than a BandAid used to mask an electrical problem.
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daoust |
09-16-2012 @ 5:14 AM
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Member
Posts: 81
Joined: Aug 2011
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OK, I've solved my overheating problem with a re-cored radiator. She now runs maybe 160-170 max. In my earlier post I read about folks using either 160 or 190 degree thermostats. Something isn't making sense to me. If I have 190 degree thermostats and my temp is never getting to 190 wouldn't that mean that the thermostats are never opening thus no circulation at all? Would I be better off switching to 160 degree thermostats? Can someone explain why one might choose one over the other? Sorry if this seems like a dumb question. Thank you.
David Daoust
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