[erichb]

I've been using a 180 degree thermostat in my 90' 350 TBI Chevy truck here in California for years. I'm told that using anything below 192 degrees will slowly destroy my engine. The argument I've been hearing is that the ECM will run the engine rich until it reaches that temp. Now I've scaned the ECM in real time at operating temp and the O2 sensor readings and Intergrator numbers at are within an acceptable normal level (124 to134)- not too rich or lean. The BLM numbers are on the low side of 128, around 120. The spark plugs look great!

Will using a 180 degree thermostat ruin an engine or is the just a myth?

Eric

 

[poncho62]

I say myth........................better too little heat than too much.

I always run 180s in mine..............of course, they are carburated.

 

[lluciano77]

Modern engines can run normally at 210o.

I run a 160o thermostat in my engine to help keep it from detonating.

180o won't ruin a non-computer controlled engine.

 

[spinn]

if car is getting to closed loop, i dont see how a 180 could damage anything.

 

[Siggy_Freud]

Once it has reached closed loop it should be taking information from all the sensors, the main one being the oxygen sensor to determine lean/rich mixture. I could see it richening slightly upon startup but I doubt it. I imagine that 180 is still in range of normal operating temperature on most computer controlled cars.

I run a 180 in my TPI and seems to work great. It does like anything above 200 very much.