The Ford Barn

1929 · 04-07-2016, 04:56 PM

the 160 or the 180?

CarlG · 04-07-2016, 04:58 PM

My engine builder says 180

Mitch//pa · 04-07-2016, 05:02 PM

I use a 160 .... Without a stat I run much cooler than 160 that is fine for me..I don't want my motors running any hotter.
They are already known to be delicate on #4

1929 · 04-07-2016, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarlG

My engine builder says 180

I heard the same, more efficient

Ron W · 04-07-2016, 08:05 PM

If your engine is pressurized 180 is good. If your engine is not pressurized 180 is only 32 from 212. 160 gives you 52 degrees of safety. I use 160. Ron W

updraught · 04-07-2016, 08:05 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

If the thermostat ends up at the top of the hose (away from the engine), will a 180 let the engine get too hot?

BILL WILLIAMSON · 04-07-2016, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by updraught

If the thermostat ends up at the top of the hose (away from the engine), will a 180 let the engine get too hot?

NO! HEAT GOES UP.
Bill W.

Y-Blockhead · 04-07-2016, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron W

If your engine is pressurized 180 is good. If your engine is not pressurized 180 is only 32 from 212. 160 gives you 52 degrees of safety. I use 160. Ron W

If your engine is going to overheat it doesn't really matter if you have a 160°f or 180°f thermostat. At 212°f both thermostats will be wide open anyway...

Mike V. Florida · 04-07-2016, 10:52 PM

170

eagle · 04-08-2016, 08:53 AM

You should have enough bypass flow to keep some coolant flowing in engine even when the thermostat is closed. There are hot spots in the engine that need coolant flow to distribute the heat.

burner31 · 04-08-2016, 08:54 AM

160

mshmodela · 04-08-2016, 09:06 AM

They are cheap, try either and see... Either will help your engine run at hotter which likely will help --did for my car.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 04-08-2016, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eagle

You should have enough bypass flow to keep some coolant flowing in engine even when the thermostat is closed. There are hot spots in the engine that need coolant flow to distribute the heat.

With a thermostat, start your car, cold, look in the filler, rev it up, & you'll be SURPRISED at how MUCH water flows! The thermostat ENGINEERS know whut their doing!
You don't need to drill NO STINKIN' HOLES in the thermostat goody!!
Bill W.

Fullraceflathead · 04-08-2016, 10:40 AM

Just my two Cents but I feel 160 is best because the cooling system is NOT Pressurized. 180 is better at boiling off moisture but puts you closer to potentially overheating if your Radiator is Marginal.

Y-Blockhead · 04-08-2016, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fullraceflathead

Just my two Cents but I feel 160 is best because the cooling system is NOT Pressurized. 180 is better at boiling off moisture but puts you closer to potentially overheating if your Radiator is Marginal.

See post #8. If your radiator is "marginal" it's not going to matter. Once the thermostat is WFO there is no control of the temperature. The thermostat is out of the picture at this point. If your radiator is "marginal" enough to not control the temperature at the high end, it's going to OVERHEAT.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 04-08-2016, 01:03 PM

Remember that MOST overheating is caused by RUST flakes in the top of the tubes. Be SURE to back flush, once or twice a year!
No matter how clean your cooling system is, RUST FLAKES are just a "part of life" in a Model A, as these OLD castings are 80 SOMETHING YEARS OLD!! (YIKES! That's as OLD as ME!)
Bill W.

04-07-2016, 04:56 PM	#1
1929 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New York Posts: 943	Thermostat? the 160 or the 180?

04-07-2016, 04:58 PM	#2
CarlG Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 9,115	Re: Thermostat? My engine builder says 180 __________________ Alaskan A's Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska Model A Ford Club of America Model A Restorers Club Antique Automobile Club of America Mullins Owner's Club

04-07-2016, 05:02 PM	#3
Mitch//pa BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 11,454	Re: Thermostat? I use a 160 .... Without a stat I run much cooler than 160 that is fine for me..I don't want my motors running any hotter. They are already known to be delicate on #4 Last edited by Mitch//pa; 04-07-2016 at 08:49 PM.

04-07-2016, 08:05 PM	#5
Ron W Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Central Me. Posts: 260	Re: Thermostat? If your engine is pressurized 180 is good. If your engine is not pressurized 180 is only 32 from 212. 160 gives you 52 degrees of safety. I use 160. Ron W

04-07-2016, 08:05 PM	#6
updraught Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Australia Posts: 1,971	Re: Thermostat? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) If the thermostat ends up at the top of the hose (away from the engine), will a 180 let the engine get too hot?

04-07-2016, 10:52 PM	#9
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: Thermostat? 170 __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II

04-08-2016, 08:53 AM	#10
eagle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Eagle Bend, MN Posts: 2,025	Re: Thermostat? You should have enough bypass flow to keep some coolant flowing in engine even when the thermostat is closed. There are hot spots in the engine that need coolant flow to distribute the heat.

04-08-2016, 08:54 AM	#11
burner31 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Shawnee, Ok Posts: 3,471	Re: Thermostat? 160 __________________ Keith Shawnee OK '31 SW 160-B

04-08-2016, 09:06 AM	#12
mshmodela Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 2,763	Re: Thermostat? They are cheap, try either and see... Either will help your engine run at hotter which likely will help --did for my car. __________________ -Mike Late 31' Ford Model A Tudor, Miss Daisy I don't work on cars --I'm learning about my Model A. Cleveland, Ohio

04-08-2016, 10:40 AM	#14
Fullraceflathead Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Chillicothe, Missouri Posts: 1,176	Re: Thermostat? Just my two Cents but I feel 160 is best because the cooling system is NOT Pressurized. 180 is better at boiling off moisture but puts you closer to potentially overheating if your Radiator is Marginal. __________________ "If I asked people what they wanted they would have said faster horses." -Henry Ford "Primitive technology is not a design flaw" 1928 Ford Model A Roadster Pickup 1930 Gordon Smith Air Compressor 1941 Willy's Pickup 1960 Thunderbird-For Sale 1964 Buick Riviera 2x4 425 1965 Pontiac GTO, 455 Super Duty 2004 Dodge Ram SRT-10, V-10 Viper 1977 Charger Jet Boat,460 Ford,Jacuzzi Jet Front Engine Nostalgia Dragster,Supercharged 296 "Fullrace Flathead" Ford Engine Build up on DVD ask

04-08-2016, 01:03 PM	#16
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Thermostat? Remember that MOST overheating is caused by RUST flakes in the top of the tubes. Be SURE to back flush, once or twice a year! No matter how clean your cooling system is, RUST FLAKES are just a "part of life" in a Model A, as these OLD castings are 80 SOMETHING YEARS OLD!! (YIKES! That's as OLD as ME!) Bill W. __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF" Last edited by BILL WILLIAMSON; 04-09-2016 at 11:09 AM.