Which thermostst

[mebe007]

ok guys getting ready to finalize up everything before the drop in. i have always run a 180 deg hermostat. Should i stick with it or go cooler. I have a .060 over sbc with 10.5:1 compression, aluminum heads and .586 lift. also a 4 core aluminum rad and dual 12" elec fans. Im leaning on the 180 but just wanted to get yalls opinions.

 

[Peter]

The best person to ask would be the manufacturer of the aluminum heads. I run 180 with my steel heads but im not sure exactly if they suggest anything different with aluminum heads, thats the only thing i can see making a big difference

 

[bill]

X2

I think starting off with the 180 is a good choice, given the higher temps this time of year. Of course, many factors can affect the temp of the engine and a lower temp stat will just prolong the warm up. I think a lot of the answers will come to you after you break it in and drive it. You've got a good cooling radiator, so you shouldnt have any overheating issues, regardless of the stat you use. Just remember that during break in, the motor will run a bit hotter than normal, but that shouldnt last long.

 

[mebe007]

Re: Which thermostst and now plugs lol

X2

I think starting off with the 180 is a good choice, given the higher temps this time of year. Of course, many factors can affect the temp of the engine and a lower temp stat will just prolong the warm up. I think a lot of the answers will come to you after you break it in and drive it. You've got a good cooling radiator, so you shouldnt have any overheating issues, regardless of the stat you use. Just remember that during break in, the motor will run a bit hotter than normal, but that shouldnt last long.

yep and the roller cam helps the whole break in thing lol. less to break lo. im still waiting to hear back from profiler on a starting point for my spark plugs as well. they suggest a NGK R5671A-7 or colder so im kind of lost here as i have neve3r used anything other than standard ac delco plugs like the r43 which is a heat range 3. that plug they recommend is a 7

 

[bill]

Re: Which thermostst and now plugs lol

"The spark plug heat range has no relationship to the electrical energy transferred through the spark plug. The heat range of a spark plug is the range in which the plug works well thermally. The heat rating of NGK spark plugs is indicated by a number; lower numbers indicate a hotter type, higher numbers indicate a colder type..." Stolen from another forum...

Id say, based on the ranges of ac vs ngk...they are both close to the same range...

 

[FE3X CLONE]

Personally I'd go with a 160°F thermostat.

 

[mebe007]

Personally I'd go with a 160°F thermostat.

and your reasoning?

 

[megaladon6]

with aluminum heads i'd go with the 180.
as for heat ranges between 2 companies...there is no comparison as companies make their own number/letter system. try their recommendation and see what happens.
i'm assuming you used the acdelco with iron heads? you do have to go colder when switching to aluminums.

 

[mebe007]

with aluminum heads i'd go with the 180.
as for heat ranges between 2 companies...there is no comparison as companies make their own number/letter system. try their recommendation and see what happens.
i'm assuming you used the acdelco with iron heads? you do have to go colder when switching to aluminums.

yeah the ac plugs were with iron heads. only head ive ever run was iron. so all this is a whole new learning experience lol

 

[FE3X CLONE]

Personally I'd go with a 160°F thermostat.

and your reasoning?

Judging by your build this isn't something you'd be driving in the winter and concerned with heat output. For a mostly warm weather car I just don't think you can be too cold (within reason).