I've noticed that once I got my 355 past the first couple hundred miles, I've been running 180 degrees solid. Never budges over 180 at all. I have a 180 thermostat, but i've never had an engine that didn't get a little hotter in traffic or something. The weather in NY has cooled a lot, but we still get a 60 degree day here and there and still it never goes over. Now the only problem i have is that i've read that 190-195 is the best temp. to run at. Are their any advantages to running a bit hotter? Is it worth it to run a 195 thermostat for the winter? The car is a daily driver, so i'll give up some power for economy if that's the case, but i always thought the cooler the engine, the more power you get. Help me out here guys, am I missing something?

A very good friend of mine who worked at the GM Tech center for 30 years says that anything below 170 is not good for an engine. Below 160 is worse. Heat=power in the scientific community. However, in the real world, our world with lower octane fuels, detonation is our enemy. My BBC detonates @ 230 & up. If you notice all of the newer cars run @ 195-210. The reason aftermarket companies run 160 thermostats with Hi-Po chips instead of the factory 190-195 degree thermostats, is the computer dials in more timing with the new chip or program. The cooler running motor is less prone to detonation. The engine dosn't actually run @ 160 though, just lets the motor run cooler. I would say 180-195 is a good range for engine temperature. This is my 'take' on this and if anyone else has different views, I'd like to hear it. This is a 'not so talked about' subject I think.

------------------
Triple Black 69 SS 396

I would think that more heat is tougher on seals and gaskets over time. I recently sold an 88 GMC with a 350 that always ran right around 180. Drove it for 11 1/2 years without any leaks or other engine related problems.

------------------
Mark
1970 SS454 LS6 (nom)

I've got to chime in here, and ask a question myself. My '70 396 runs at 150 degrees, it looks like http://www.chevelles.com/forum/eek.gif Too cool obviously. How do I raise that temperature up a little? New thermostat?


------------------
"I been chasing a madman for 700 miles."
-Smokey and the Bandit

Sean Thomas
TC Member #907
Sean's Garage (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/gorbe1.jpg)
70 Chevelle SS 396/350 hp
71 Chevelle SS (clone) 400/450 hp

i have the same problem as the last guy. when i first dropped in my motor i had a cheap 195 in it. my motor ran to 220. i then switched to a expensive 180 and it ran at 180. one day all the sudden my car would not run over 150. i knew this was too low and i of course thought it was my guages but it wasnt. so i changed to a cheap 180 and now i run up to 230. should i be concerned. it only stays up at 230 for a few seconds and then slowly drops back down. What should i do??

Here's something that might be of interest. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/Forum10/HTML/002224.html

------------------
Pat Kelley
66 El Camino, daily driver
67 El Camino, STRIP/street
Pat's Page (CR Calculator, Utilites, car specs) (http://cochise.uia.net/pkelley/)