Well i think the bars in the stock guage are 30 degrees apart, so i believe my car was running at 190, which was the 2nd bar, but after running it pretty hard, it would run up to the 3rd or 4th bar, so i figured i had to change the stat out. so i got a 160, figuring it would make it run cooler. i had a radiator that i got from a friend which is a 4 core. now i have it running pretty constant at the first bar, no matter how i run it. I have another question for everyone here, how can i tell for sure if a heater core is going out? i thought mine was replaced before i got the car. thanks!
192 degree thermostat too much?
- Thread starter jaidedeye
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Ford designed the 5.0 to run around 195-200 degrees, and that is where they really run best. I run a 195 thermostat in my 351W with a 3 row rad and an electric fan and it runs and stays around this set temperature.
If you run the car below 180 degrees with EEC-IV, you will be in perpetual warm up mode, and always too rich.
My advice to you is to run a 195 thermostat, and if you have problems keeping the temperature around this set point, upgrade your radiator and/or fan setup. If you must run a cooler thermostat, 180 is the lowest you should go.
-Matthew
If you run the car below 180 degrees with EEC-IV, you will be in perpetual warm up mode, and always too rich.
My advice to you is to run a 195 thermostat, and if you have problems keeping the temperature around this set point, upgrade your radiator and/or fan setup. If you must run a cooler thermostat, 180 is the lowest you should go.
-Matthew
quiksilver9531
Founding Member
92notch50 said:
Thermostats are cake man...I had a 180 in for the winter but since the past two weeks had some 10 degree days in New Jersey..I decided to put the stock 195 back in..now my car still takes a while to heat up in the cold however once its to temp, 195 provides much better heat if thats what your looking for..I have a stock rad and an electric fan I have no problem maintaining that temp
it was supposedly put in just before i got the car, but i believe that to be untrue..
quiksilver9531
Founding Member
what makes you think your heater core is gone? I knew mine went when everytime i used the heat the windows fogged like crazy..I dont know if you ever did a heater core before but its not fun..I spent a weekend doing mine over the summer...but it beats paying a ton of money to get it done especially when the part is like 30 dollars..good luck
BlackFox5.0
Founding Member
I use a 195 year round. It's what the engine was designed to operate at. My radiator can keep the engine at that temp very effeciently, so I never overheat.
Well the heater was working great for a while, but just in the last week or so, the windows started fogging, and i just felt under the dash, and i was excited to find coolant. I did one on my friends mustang, not much fun there, especially when he lost most of the bolts. I am lucky to have to room to do it, and i am on winter break so i have the time also, wish me luck :/
Euphoric306
New Member
- Apr 5, 2004
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not to steal the thread, but its not like it hasnt been done already...
anyway, on my '87, the needle (though i know its not accurate, blah blah blah) is always below horizontal, which is where it should be right?
also, ive got a plastic fan.. is that factory or is it upgraded or something...
thanks
anyway, on my '87, the needle (though i know its not accurate, blah blah blah) is always below horizontal, which is where it should be right?
also, ive got a plastic fan.. is that factory or is it upgraded or something...
thanks
LOL, Blah Blah saying blah blah.BlahBlahson said:
plastic fan is a rare item - it is a lightweight unit used on 93 cobras - from 9/92 - 12/92. very very rare.
ok, maybe not - it is stock.
my stock temp gauge usually sits at 1/4 or 1/2 (it sorta instantaneously jumps from the lowest reading to 1/4 and then to 1/2).
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