Should've known better...

[pontiacgp]

I agree with the 195*, there are two theories, one is cooler temp opens up faster, or sooner, it does (in my experience, they just stay open from there). Higher temp holds the thermostat closed longer, giving water more time to exchange heat in the radiator.

I would drill the weep hole.

I agree with that but with the switch he has for his electric fan it will be on all the time cause the operating temperature will never hit the shut off tempapture

 

[airboatgreg]

A 195 or a 180 degree thermostat will start to open at that stated temperature. The engine is going to run at whatever temp it is going to. Remember, a thermostat is a restriction to allow the water/coolant mix to absorb the heat produced. I want my engine to warm up(195 t-stat, get heater working, motor warmed up to boil out condensation, better drivability, better fuel economy, less emissions) faster. On cars with factory electric cooling fans, the fans usually come on at about 230 degrees. I will take a quality thermostat and fan clutch on a stock or near stock motor any time. Hot rod motors are a whole different story and you are usually trying to fix a symptom rather than a cause of high heat.