Thread: Thermostat?

Looks like my thermostat is funked. I drove it a few miles and one of the lines going into the alternator bracket blew off. Before it did I was getting hotter and hotter past the 180 degrees that my thermostat is. I would assume this is because the thermostat didn't open up, causing heat, causing back pressure. Yes no?

sounds about right. just get a stock 195 and plop that in and go with it.

here is the link matt posted:

Different Ways To Cool An Engine - Street Rodder Magazine

read the entire thing, then get back to us.

Originally Posted by Bio248

here is the link matt posted:

Different Ways To Cool An Engine - Street Rodder Magazine

read the entire thing, then get back to us.

I think there are a lot of blanket statements in that article. Plus that is one article saying one thing. I can tell you if I write a report on a subject I will have more than one source to back up my points or I will get fired. I personally think, depending on the mods, you can benefit from a colder thermostat. If this wasn't the case I would be running a 195 and some stock plugs.

I've never seen/heard of the coolant elbows or coolant hoses blowing due to an overheating condition. Definately get them swapped and a thermostat at the same time would be a cheap item to toss in for good measure.

I'd keep a close eye on them though.

Originally Posted by SnowFlake

The article is a good read, but unfortunately it doesn't cover roots blower engines, which are nothing like N/A motors.

Too many people go straight to a colder tstat and colder plugs... but the reality is they aren't needed. Personally I run a 180 tstat, not drilled... I think that drilling the tstat is not smart. I do this because the supercharger makes A LOT of heat. Much more heat than an N/A motor. Air is going in 200-250 degrees above ambient temps.

My coolant stays at 180 degrees for the most part in normal driving, but after a few pulls it shoots up to over 200. By using the 180 I feel like the coolant drains the KR creating heat out of our motors a little better.

Going to a 160 is too cold. At those levels your engine oil may not reach proper temps and you could start to sludge it up... And a drilled 160 is a terrible idea.

If you get on it a lot go with a 180, if you drive normal, stick with the stock one.

X2 Back in the days, they used to run colder thermostats to combat KR and it was generally a good idea since there wasn't much for tuning or a way to tune back then. There are quite a few tables that go off of the ECT as well and can help if you are running colder. I run a 180 for the same reasons above, don't see any reason to run a stock Tstat.

She might not, but her nipples will tell the story.

Too bad GM's can fail...as they can get stuck open OR closed. That's why I buy Failsafe's TStat since it can only get stuck in the open position. Might look into that.

Originally Posted by SnowDrift

Is there really anything that cannot fail in some manner?

I said something about nipples earlier...LOLz