What temp. thermostat?

[66FBCharger]

I have basically a stock '69 440.
What temperature thermostat do you run? I have a 160* in it now. I believe the FSM recommends around a 190*. Does running a lower temp thermostat affect how the car will run? I am thinking if the engine is cooler the fuel might not burn as efficiently. I know on the newer fuel injected computer controlled cars, it will set a code if the water temp is too low.

[Chryco Psycho]

I use 180* , not as hot as the 195 & the 160 is too cool

[66FBCharger]

  Great. What kind of issues will running the 160 cause?

[Chryco Psycho]

possibly more fuel use , more wear to the block etc

[FLG]

possibly more fuel use , more wear to the block etc

Yep, not to mention crappy heat.

I think there was some study that said theres twice as much engine wear at 160 than there is at 180-90

Oil needs to get hot to burn off excess moisture and junk.

[Dino]

Interesting.

How can I find out which one I have?  Take it out and look for the numbers on it?

[FLG]

Yep, should have temp numbers on it.

[Dino]

Yep, should have temp numbers on it.

One more job for the (growing) list.  Maybe I should try to do all this work at once and spruce up the engine bay...

Thanks!   

[maxwellwedge]

I use 180* , not as hot as the 195 & the 160 is too cool

Me too 

[Fred]

I use 180* , not as hot as the 195 & the 160 is too cool

Me too 

good choice 

[440]

I was told not to especially with alloy heads due to the heat dissipation properties of the heads. It might not burn the fuel properly and run too rich, possibly wash the oil from the cylinder walls, excess carbon build up and eat the cylinder walls. At least that's what Don at FBO told me. Don suggested the 195*. Although I like to run all my cars around 180* Don said 230* is fine 

[ChargerST]

I run a 180 thermostat but since I run an electric it really doesn't matter because I have an adjustable temperature switch. I can run it at 180, 181, 182, 183... I set it at 190 at the moment and the fan holds the temperatur.

[billschroeder5842]

I run a 160 as it is SUPER HOT here in the Lone Star State and the temps always seem to run about 10-15 degrees hotter than the packaging says. I have A/C so cooler is better.

However, I have limited heat in the winter.

As Boston says..."cool the engines!"

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

I've been running a Robert Shaw high flow 160º for 10+ years with no issues....

[bill440rt]

180* here. I forget what kind it was (Mr. Gasket, maybe?), but it was a hi-flow. Cars run cool with no overheating.
But this is in Jersey, in the super-hot southern states perhaps a 160* is the way to go? 

[Cooter]

If the rest of the cooling system is up to par, then 180-195 Degree thermostat is just fine. If you install a 180 and an are getting into the 260 Degree range, it IS NOT THE THERMOSTAT...YOu have other problems. Agreed, 160 is TOO cold. Old skool thinking was to run these engines 160- degrees. They are FAR better performers at 190 Degrees.

[Scaregrabber]

I have always run a 195 and made sure the cooling system was controlling the temp properly. Thats where the engine will run at it's most efficient.

Sheldon

[charger Downunder]

I use 180* , not as hot as the 195 & the 160 is too cool

Me too 

good choice 

me too 

[A383Wing]

I use 180* , not as hot as the 195 & the 160 is too cool

Me too 

good choice 

me too 

Me 3, 4, & 5....180* in all 3 Chargers

Bryan

[Chryco Psycho]

an engine will not necissarily run cooler with a 160 T stat , once the thermostat is open if the system cannot get the temp back down to 160* the T stat will not close

[FLG]

an engine will not necissarily run cooler with a 160 T stat , once the thermostat is open if the system cannot get the temp back down to 160* the T stat will not close

Exactly...and a constant wide open t-stat is not really a good thing as sometimes the flow should be slowed slightly to allow the coolant to actually absorb engine heat or sit in the rad a bit longer to be properly cooled.

[billschroeder5842]

Okay, Okay....I'll pop a 180 in (195 might be too much!) and see what happens.
I'm worried about heat soak and restarting (it would crank and crank and crank...) the engine after a run....I used to have an issue but when I dropped the cast iron intake for an aluminum and switched to a 160, I've had no issues.

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Okay, Okay....I'll pop a 180 in (195 might be too much!) and see what happens.
I'm worried about heat soak and restarting (it would crank and crank and crank...) the engine after a run....I used to have an issue but when I dropped the cast iron intake for an aluminum and switched to a 160, I've had no issues.

If it aint broke..... 

Thats why I aint touchin mine!

[NYCMille]

Run a 160 in both Charger and Daytona - never an issue. 50,000 miles on Charger / 20,000 on Daytona

[Rolling_Thunder]

I usually run a 160* thermo...    some people bring up the added engine wear...  which...   is scientifically proven to exist...   but with the average guy driving his muscle car more and more seldom I don't consider it a huge issue...