Re: Thermostat Question

["Mark Price" <mprice@xxxxxxxxxx>]

In a cold climate a 160 degree thermostat may be too cool.
What I used to believe[I'm not sure now] is that too cool engine temps promoted sludge buildup on the tops of the cylinder heads.
This would probably be more likely to happen from no t-stat rather then a 160. Especially if the engine does come up to the 180+ degree range with a 160. With synthetics and the detergent blends out there now I don't know that sludge buldup is a problem now.
Another point is that if the engine is too cool the clearances will be off and it will be loose and may burn oil cause piston slap etc; Especially if it is a blueprinted engine designed to be run a 200-210* All this is guess work though depending on engine build. If it is a stock engine and comes up to the 180* range and you are happy and don't hear noises Good! If you not sure try going to a 180* t-stat and see what you think. You aonly talking the cost of T-stat!
 My 4.0l In my American has about 6,000 miles on the longblock. It was a warranty pull for piston slap in 1995. Now anyone with a Cherokee knows they run hot in the middle of summer. My buddy gave me this engine because it was noisy. I looked it over and there was not a mark on any bore, No scufs, nothing. I reasoned that if it was noisy at 220+ temps in the Cherokee, but quiet during warmup and cool weather, I could run it in my American without problem due to larger radiator and grill area. I put in a 180* t-stat Stock replacement radiator and have never heard a noise!
  So , in that respect, yes you can alter the character of an engine by changing the T-stat and operating temp on an engine.
  Enough Rambling for now.

Mark Price
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---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
From: AMC74Hornet@xxxxxxxxx
Reply-To: mail-From-mprice-westco.net@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Date:  Tue, 19 Oct 2004 07:23:41 -0400

>
>On October 19, 2004 Mark Ogulnick wrote:
>
>> I recently replaced the 195 degree thermostat in my
>> 360 with a 160 degree.  Some people I've talked to say
>> this is okay.  However, a friend of mine who owns a
>> number of AMC's and is an excellent mechanic says it's
>> very bad.  Is a 160 too low and if so, would a 180 or
>> 185 be better?  Any suggestions or advice would be
>> appreciated.
>> 
>> Mark
>> 
>> 
>> 
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>
>Why did you change the thermostat in the first place and why did you go with a 160? I have always run a 180 in all my AMC's and Chebby & Puick beaters for 40 years.
>"Doc"
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