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Operaring Temperture

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Old Jul 5, 2022 | 10:02 AM
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Question Operaring Temperture

Is 200 degrees a good operating temp for a 71 302 engine with a 180 degree thermostat. I was thinking 180 degrees was the norm ???
What say you ????????
 
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Old Jul 6, 2022 | 12:22 AM
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200 is perfect.

Thermostat ratings are the MINIMUM temp the engine will maintain. Not the maximum.

Although with a 180 stat, it should probably be running 190-195. But 200 is still A-ok.
 
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Old Jul 6, 2022 | 03:08 AM
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Agree that 200 is perfect. As said temperatures do generally hover around the rating of the thermostat.
As long as it doesn’t keep climbing when you’re putting the vehicle under load or the day is extremely hot.

But how are you reading the temperature? An aftermarket gauge? Or thermometer?
Where are the readings coming from?
 
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Old Jul 9, 2022 | 10:21 AM
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Originally Posted by 1TonBasecamp
Agree that 200 is perfect. As said temperatures do generally hover around the rating of the thermostat.
As long as it doesn’t keep climbing when you’re putting the vehicle under load or the day is extremely hot.

But how are you reading the temperature? An aftermarket gauge? Or thermometer?
Where are the readings coming from?
SunPro gauge connected to block I think, maybe intake manifold..........Also I do not have fan shroud installed. I do plan for one just have to repair one of the 2 I have..........ha
The temp reading came in a parking lot and I put some strain on engine from my poor shifting & sorta trying to see if it would get hot on purpose by running it a little hard around the lot. That is how I got the gunk in my gas filter, by sloshing around the gas by fast cornering...lol.......because I was so thrilled to have my new steering column parts installed etc....etc.......I am very happy even though I had the truck towed home...........
Happy also because brakes seemed good and my semi-successful clutch adjustment had it shifting good...........I am almost delighted.........
Now to fix the tank & fine tune the fuel & ignition systems.........oh it is always something it seems.......
THANK U ALL VERY MUCH.........
 
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