195 Thermostat

[TheCouzin]

Quick question for yall.

I just recently acquired my first Classic. (1967 Coronet with a built 440)
I've been going through it and changing fluids and seals. The Thermostat is a 195. To me that seems high. I do live in the north aka Canada where temps reach 35 Celsius and the car runs around 200-210. Should I change to a 180?

Any help and insight is greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[toolmanmike]

Quick question for yall.

I just recently acquired my first Classic. (1967 Coronet with a built 440)
I've been going through it and changing fluids and seals. The Thermostat is a 195. To me that seems high. I do live in the north aka Canada where temps reach 35 Celsius and the car runs around 200-210. Should I change to a 180?

Any help and insight is greatly appreciated. Thanks

200-210 is ok as long as it doesn't puke coolant out. I like 180° stat's myself.

 

[TheCouzin]

200-210 is ok as long as it doesn't puke coolant out. I like 180° stat's myself.

Thanks for the reply. I think I will end up changing it this winter.

 

[33 IMP]

I had a low temp thermostat (170? 180?) In my diesel pickup. I don't remember exactly why, but it got changed by my friends shop to a 195. I hate it.
Engine runs hotter in 110°f local temperatures, trans runs hotter, oil pressure is down. The supposed fuel mileage improvement is nonexistent.
I should have my friend put it back the way it was.
Frankly, I'd run a 160 in an old car.

 

[RR Fan Dan]

Quick question for yall.

I just recently acquired my first Classic. (1967 Coronet with a built 440)
I've been going through it and changing fluids and seals. The Thermostat is a 195. To me that seems high. I do live in the north aka Canada where temps reach 35 Celsius and the car runs around 200-210. Should I change to a 180?

Any help and insight is greatly appreciated. Thanks

Yes change it.

 

[WileE]

I've run 180 since... since... since they invented a 180.

 

[33 IMP]

If I was in Canada, I'd either run 180 or 195 in the winter (IF you actually use a 440 powered classic in a Canadian winter), and a 160 in the summer.
If you park it in the winter, I'd put a 160 in it and leave it.

 

[TheCouzin]

If I was in Canada, I'd either run 180 or 195 in the winter (IF you actually use a 440 powered classic in a Canadian winter), and a 160 in the summer.
If you park it in the winter, I'd put a 160 in it and leave it.

Definitely not driving it in the winter and try not to in the rain as it usually can lead to Hail. Haha

 

[440 4 speed]

In the 60’s it very common to run a 195 thermostat year round. Our parents 313 1961 Pioneer still had the 195f in it. Car has about 150,000 miles on it. Still runs. Sold it to a fellow that is freshening it up.
I have 190f in the cars.

 

[Geoff 2]

180 is a good compromise. Stats take 20-30* to fuluy open. So a 195 stat may not be providing max coolant flow until 225*.

 

[TheCouzin]

180 is a good compromise. Stats take 20-30* to fuluy open. So a 195 stat may not be providing max coolant flow until 225*.

Thanks for the reply. You seem to be a wealth of knowledge. You been working on classics for a long time?
Thank you.

 

[bandit67]

Guess Im in the minority, as I run a 195s in all my street motors that burn unleaded. But of course, Im down south and have never operated any engine in frigid winter months you northern boys do. Back when many motor oils were paraffin based the low temp stats would cause lots of crude buildup under the valve covers from being too "cool. Of course, all that's different with today's modern oil formulas but I think the unleaded street motors run better a bit hotter. And again, mine are not high horsepower, wind em up, weekend warriors, just daily drivers.

 

[Black_Sheep]

I use a 160 in the GTX. It runs 175 at full operating temperature, even in stop and go traffic with ambient temperatures in the upper 90’s.

 

[AR67GTX]

180F is my favorite. We should have started a poll.

 

[moes]

I run a 180 in my modified 383. Most of the time it stays around the 180, if I get stuck in traffic for a while on a very hot day it goes up to 185-190 at the max, but as soon as the car starts moving it goes back to 180. I live in Ontario, and we have had some days over 40 Celsius plus the humidity this year. Again, it depends on how good your cooling system, is, too.

 

[RR Fan Dan]

Didn’t 180 used to be the norm before emission standards? I thought 195 was intended for fast burn of recycled emissions. Correct me if I’m wrong.

 

[hunt2elk]

I run 180* stats in all my old cars, but believe 440 6 pack A12 cars came with 195's from the factory.

 

[oldkimmer]

I always use a 195 I’m a street car. 180 in a race car. Kim

 

[Geoff 2]

Couzin.
Post #11. I bought my first car, a 48 Olds, in 1968. Been at it ever since...

 

[Demonic]

Remember, the thermostat does not control the max temp your engine will see, only the minimum. If it runs hot at speed on the highway, you need more flow or a cleaner radiator. Hot in city traffic, you need a fan shroud