What Thermostat?
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 133
Likes: 2
From: Michigan
What Thermostat?
Morning, fellas.
I'm building a 351W for my 1986 F-250. I have AFR 165 head's, Performer 2181 intake, Hydraulic Flat Tappet cam, Advertised Duration 254/262, Lift .477/.493, and Edelbrock AVS 2, 650 cfm carb.
It's not going to be a race truck or anything. Just real healthy.
Just want to know what you recommend for a thermostat temperature to put in there.
Thank you - Thomas
I'm building a 351W for my 1986 F-250. I have AFR 165 head's, Performer 2181 intake, Hydraulic Flat Tappet cam, Advertised Duration 254/262, Lift .477/.493, and Edelbrock AVS 2, 650 cfm carb.
It's not going to be a race truck or anything. Just real healthy.
Just want to know what you recommend for a thermostat temperature to put in there.
Thank you - Thomas
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 133
Likes: 2
From: Michigan
- Thomas
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 133
Likes: 2
From: Michigan
.
Thank you - Thomas
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 5,667
Likes: 1,159
From: Tolland, CT
Have you looked at Summit Racing, they tend to have better quality parts, you can call them and talk to a real person and ask for advice too. I've spent tons of money with them back in our race cars days. When It came time for a heater for my new garage, they had everything needed in one simple phone call.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 3,963
Likes: 512
From: Edmond, OK
DOH! I don't have anything against Summit or Jegs. I've ordered from them plenty of times. Just make sure you get a good quality part. Delayed post there, sorry. 
If the OE thermostat housing is damaged then you can get a replacement online. They even offer them in a kit with the housing, gasket and thermostat. I'd recommend Motorad or Motorcraft if the go that route.
If the OE thermostat housing is damaged then you can get a replacement online. They even offer them in a kit with the housing, gasket and thermostat. I'd recommend Motorad or Motorcraft if the go that route.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 133
Likes: 2
From: Michigan
DOH! I don't have anything against Summit or Jegs. I've ordered from them plenty of times. Just make sure you get a good quality part. Delayed post there, sorry.
If the OE thermostat housing is damaged then you can get a replacement online. They even offer them in a kit with the housing, gasket and thermostat. I'd recommend Motorad or Motorcraft if the go that route.
If the OE thermostat housing is damaged then you can get a replacement online. They even offer them in a kit with the housing, gasket and thermostat. I'd recommend Motorad or Motorcraft if the go that route.
Thank you - Thomas
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Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 7,174
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Whatever temperature rating you pick, it's WELL worth the time to test the new one before installation.
The subject is near and dear to my heart as my car was giving me fits a few years ago. I had to try 3 new thermostats before finding one reasonably accurate. The worst was OEM. Second worst was name brand aftermarket. Finally tried a different brand aftermarket and that was good.
I also like to test the old one now, too, to confirm my diagnosis/hunch/guess it was indeed bad. It's more helpful to test side-by-side, as it's easier to see which one is responding when.
Went through something similar with my truck, too. Lots of crap parts out there, sitting on a shelf waiting to trip you up.
Here's a good primer on thermostat operation and testing:
https://knowhow.napaonline.com/tempe...ps-and-tricks/
A thermostat's rated temperature is when it should start opening. At 20F above this value, it should be fully open. So if your thermostat is rated for 190F, that's when you should see it crack open. It should be fully open at 210F. Test when it opens as heat rises, and when it closes while cooling down.
FWIW, I installed a 180 thermostat in my '84 351W. Been very happy with it.
The subject is near and dear to my heart as my car was giving me fits a few years ago. I had to try 3 new thermostats before finding one reasonably accurate. The worst was OEM. Second worst was name brand aftermarket. Finally tried a different brand aftermarket and that was good.
I also like to test the old one now, too, to confirm my diagnosis/hunch/guess it was indeed bad. It's more helpful to test side-by-side, as it's easier to see which one is responding when.
Went through something similar with my truck, too. Lots of crap parts out there, sitting on a shelf waiting to trip you up.
Here's a good primer on thermostat operation and testing:
https://knowhow.napaonline.com/tempe...ps-and-tricks/
A thermostat's rated temperature is when it should start opening. At 20F above this value, it should be fully open. So if your thermostat is rated for 190F, that's when you should see it crack open. It should be fully open at 210F. Test when it opens as heat rises, and when it closes while cooling down.
FWIW, I installed a 180 thermostat in my '84 351W. Been very happy with it.
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Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 133
Likes: 2
From: Michigan
Whatever temperature rating you pick, it's WELL worth the time to test the new one before installation.
The subject is near and dear to my heart as my car was giving me fits a few years ago. I had to try 3 new thermostats before finding one reasonably accurate. The worst was OEM. Second worst was name brand aftermarket. Finally tried a different brand aftermarket and that was good.
I also like to test the old one now, too, to confirm my diagnosis/hunch/guess it was indeed bad. It's more helpful to test side-by-side, as it's easier to see which one is responding when.
Went through something similar with my truck, too. Lots of crap parts out there, sitting on a shelf waiting to trip you up.
Here's a good primer on thermostat operation and testing:
https://knowhow.napaonline.com/tempe...ps-and-tricks/
A thermostat's rated temperature is when it should start opening. At 20F above this value, it should be fully open. So if your thermostat is rated for 190F, that's when you should see it crack open. It should be fully open at 210F. Test when it opens as heat rises, and when it closes while cooling down.
FWIW, I installed a 180 thermostat in my '84 351W. Been very happy with it.
The subject is near and dear to my heart as my car was giving me fits a few years ago. I had to try 3 new thermostats before finding one reasonably accurate. The worst was OEM. Second worst was name brand aftermarket. Finally tried a different brand aftermarket and that was good.
I also like to test the old one now, too, to confirm my diagnosis/hunch/guess it was indeed bad. It's more helpful to test side-by-side, as it's easier to see which one is responding when.
Went through something similar with my truck, too. Lots of crap parts out there, sitting on a shelf waiting to trip you up.
Here's a good primer on thermostat operation and testing:
https://knowhow.napaonline.com/tempe...ps-and-tricks/
A thermostat's rated temperature is when it should start opening. At 20F above this value, it should be fully open. So if your thermostat is rated for 190F, that's when you should see it crack open. It should be fully open at 210F. Test when it opens as heat rises, and when it closes while cooling down.
FWIW, I installed a 180 thermostat in my '84 351W. Been very happy with it.
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