My 72 w/ 414, 4spd, 3:73's has a 160 degree thermostat. Runs at 180 degrees unless sitting at idle or stop n' go traffic for extended period of time, then it creeps up to 195 degrees. My question is, would it benefit to put a 180 degree thermostat in it? If so, why? Please excuse my ignorance.
Thanks in advance

Won't matter - sounds like you have an airflow issue or inadequate radiator for the job. 195° is certainly no problem, but the T-Stat isn't your issue here. At those temps, either stat would be open all the time.

Running a shroud? Good Fan?

1/2 shroud, what would constitute a ''good'' fan?

I'd put on a good full shroud and a nice 17" 7 blade fan with a new HD fan clutch.

My friend's '72 with a 489 never runs much above 185-190 even on 100 degree Dallas days. It has a 180 degree t-stat. It's set up with a replacement 4 row brass/copper radiator, full shroud, and 7 blade 17" rigid fan with a HD clutch.

My '67 with a 540 struggles to get to 185-190 on a 100 degree day stopped in traffic. It's set up the same way but with an Afco aluminum radiator and 160 degree thermostat. On these 75 degree evenings this time of year, it never goes above 165 no matter what I do to it. I'm probably going to put in a 180 t-stat for the winter months.

I'd stay away from flex fans. They're junk IMHO.

Randy

Well, a bad fan would be a 1000cfm electric for example - a stock fan with a working fan clutch is a "good" fan. I believe there are some good flex fans, like a Derale unit, but agree most are not worth it.

The shroud is critical - I'm not sure what a 1/2 shroud is - but if it's not over the whole radiator, get one that is. You're fan needs to be mostly inside the shroud to be effective.

You're problem is most likely airflow. So assuming you have a decent radiator, it's a combination of a fan that doesn't pull enough air and/or a shroud that doesn't let you use the whole radiator for cooling.

Fortunately, you're problem isn't critical as you're not really getting that hot now. These "answers" are pretty basic, there are a lot of variations out there that will (or will not) work.

180 deg f hi flow stat.