160 or 180?

sam z

sam z

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Ok....engine going in on Saturday. Always ran a 180 and did not
have an overheat problem. Shop suggested 160 (didn't necessarily
give a reason why).

Stats:
'72 440 HP (w/ 1972 compression)
auto
484 cam
holley 750 mech secondary
391 sg
no shroud

opinions?
 
Congrats on being a new daddy!

In your neck of the woods a 180 would be fine IMO with your combo.

I do believe Ma MOPAR lists a 190 as being correct in the parts catalog.

:thumbsup:
 
I run a 180.
160 is too cold, I needed a t-stat in a pinch one day and that's all that was in stock. I could tell that it wasn't running up to par. :cents: Knowing where you live, you'll probably want some heat too. :D
 
I always run a 160 degree t stat. It helps ward off detonation on the crap California gas in the heat. Oil will run hot enough to ward off moisture. Coolant temp isnt all its cracked up to be. I did some testing back in the day when I was a tech guy for Turbo magazine and we found (on the dyno) that coolant temp had zero influence on horsepower and torque. It is a hot topic (pun intended) among computer controlled cars since a 160 thermostat will keep the computer from going into "closed loop" and the computer used the "rich" values and th car made more power. This was before the reprogramable EEPROMs they use now where you just write whatever you want in the fuel map. Probably more useless info than is necessary but now you know. Damn I shoulda deleted the punctuation. :brickwall:
 
I can remember Dad and my Granfather running different t stats in the summer and winter in their Chryslers when I was growing up. probably 180 in the winter and 160 in the summer.
 
Basketcase said:
I can remember Dad and my Granfather running different t stats in the summer and winter in their Chryslers when I was growing up. probably 180 in the winter and 160 in the summer.
Click to expand...
Now that you mention it Dave, I remember my father doing the same thing.
 
Roadcuda said:
Basketcase said:
I can remember Dad and my Granfather running different t stats in the summer and winter in their Chryslers when I was growing up. probably 180 in the winter and 160 in the summer.
Click to expand...
Now that you mention it Dave, I remember my father doing the same thing.
Click to expand...

Yep, same here.

The 160 did help a little with detonation and the 180 helped get a cold car warmer.
 
When I rebuilt my 383, I put in a 160. Before my minor mods, she ran at about 160-170. A year later I put in a bigger cam, heads milled, and headers put on. Now, she runs about 180 or so. No issues so far, although I havent really driven her since 2009 or early 2010.
 
I RUN A 160 TSTAT BUT THE GAUGE BASICALLY STAYS AT 180 CRUISING...190 MAX IN TRAFFIC
 
The 160 was cold enough to cause my car to run lean. Oil turned black real fast as well. Put a high flow 190 in and it made everything work out great.
 
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