The radiator in my SBC powered 50 Ford just kept springing leaks, so I replaced it with an aluminum unit. The old thermostat was sticking so I replaced the 195 degree with a 160 degree thermostat. With almost any movement of the car the temp stays at or very close to 160. I let it sit and idle for amost 30 minutes yesterday and it finally made it up to 210 degrees. This is all with an aftermarket belt driven fan and no shroud.

I'm very pleased with how much cooler the engine is running, but is there any reason why I shouldn't be running such a low degree thermostat?

Thanks

The answer to your question is yes.

At 160 degrees the oil is not formulated to work as well and moreover all the moisture that accumulates inside your engine will take forever to evaportate out as compared to a 180 let's say. Most oil manufacturers want 175 degrees OPERATING temperature to full realise all the benefits of the additives and lubricity. I run all mine at around 175 to 185, and some guys like it higher.

Also a minor point, the engine itself does not work as well. Pistons and rings actually expand into their "seating positions" for better compression....the whole bit.

And, putting a 160 in does not cause and effect the system to be capable of any more or less cooling ability. If your system runs at 210 for example, it will do the same under the same circumstances with a 160, 170,180....well you get the idea. The 160 just delays the inevidible. If you have 210 and are not satisfied with that then figure out how to improve airflow at idle and bring it back down.
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Steve "Jack'Stands" Jack

180-195 IS OPTIUM IF YOU CAN RUN ONE THESE FOR STREET USE YOU 'LL BE ALOT BETTER OFF IF YOUR RUNNING ON THE TRACK OR THE STREET W/ AN ENGINE POWERED FAN YOU DEFINTELY WANT A FAN SHROUD AND CONSTANT AIR FLOW IS BETTER....... YOU MIGHT CONSIDER A STEEL FAN VS A CLUTCH OR FLEX I PERSONALLY DONT CARE FOR FLEX FANS THEY TEND TO COME APART AT HIGH RPMS 6500 PLUS Rs BUT I COULD COULD BE WRONG FOR APPLICATION I RUN DIRT TRACK EVERY WEEK PARTSBOB

Hey Bob, your caps key is stuck if ya didn't noticed ;). O yeah, welcome to the board.
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Bob the Builder-We can fix it !!

Oh you mean your not supposed to type in all caps... its my way cheatin then I don't have to worry 'bout cappin my I's and stuff .......... love the site will be visiting daily to add my comments partsbob

Welcome to the fray, Bob.
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Emil
GCi
http://groups.msn.com/randomrodders
Drive it!
46 Ford Sedan
37 Packard Super 8

Greetings : Another can't be all bad. Don't worry about the caps, we don't need no stinkin caps on this board anyway. Most of us are politically correct, the rest don't give a hoot. Runnin in circles ya gotta be OK. B-O-B *************DSRA be sure to join up, see MR-( BOB)- Willys
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Smoke um if ya got um
Burn Out Bob DSRA member

Or Mr. Slammin (Grant)...that'd be me..........we'll get ya signed up with us should you chose to accept this mission and decide to run wild with the Nutz.
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Lower Susquehanna Chapter Member of DSRA - DSRA Mid Atlantic Division P.R Associate for Lugnuts 2003 World Tour..Coming to a City near you!

Sorry Mr? Slammin, I lost my mind there for a sec. Musta been a wild weekend. huh? Sure are fussy today. LOL *********** B-0-B=========DSRA
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Smoke um if ya got um
Burn Out Bob DSRA member

Fussy? Nah....All is good today! The weekend was the killer. lol
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Lower Susquehanna Chapter Member of DSRA - DSRA Mid Atlantic Division P.R Associate for Lugnuts 2003 World Tour..Coming to a City near you!

That's what I mean," YA HAD A BAAAAD WEEKEND". hehehe heh I'm sorry didn't mean to shout. B-O-B***********DSRA Go easy on the sauce
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Smoke um if ya got um
Burn Out Bob DSRA member

I dont have to take this....I'm gettin' my ball and I'm going home!! BYE! lol j/k. Sound familiar? I think we've heard that a time or two...hundred...around here.
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Lower Susquehanna Chapter Member of DSRA - DSRA Mid Atlantic Division P.R Associate for Lugnuts 2003 World Tour..Coming to a City near you!

Sounds like Slammy is getting a little Whineeeeee.....lol

Justice
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I like it loud, fast, $ shiny!

This cheese is damn good too! lol
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Lower Susquehanna Chapter Member of DSRA - DSRA Mid Atlantic Division P.R Associate for Lugnuts 2003 World Tour..Coming to a City near you!

180* thermo should work...
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Lower Susquehanna Chapter Member of DSRA - DSRA Mid Atlantic Division P.R Associate for Lugnuts 2003 World Tour..Coming to a City near you!

I feel your pain. The thermostat is starting to stick on mine a little.
When I hit the interstate it starts heading up past 230. I just have to stomp the pedal one good time and it opens up and drops off immediately. I guess I am going to have to replace it before long.
Its a doggone shame. New parta ought to be more reliable.

Justice
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I like it loud, fast, $ shiny!

If the fan is more than about an inch from the radiator put a shroud on it.
That SBC will run hot because of retarded ignition if you aren't getting around 25º advance at idle.
If you are running ported vacuum you probably only have half that at best. switch to a Manifold source for your vacuum advance. If you already do, check to see if the vacuum unit is working.
If you aren't running a vacuum advance distributor get used to running hot and over heating in traffic and at idle.

I like your MG TD replica highboy hotrod!

I drove the 50 up to a car show in the mountains this past weekend. Still haven't changed out the thermostat. The car ran a steady 160 on the road, picked up to around 175 climbing some of the hills, and rocketed up to 190 with in town idling in 90+ degree heat. That is still without a shroud. The old radiator and `195 degree thermostat would allow about 230 degree idling.

From what I've read here I guess I should move up to a little higher rated thermostat just so my oil will perform properly.

Dr. J thanks for the compliment on my old MG. It's probably one of the most fun projects I've done.