The proper thermostat

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Dec 1, 2002 | 09:31 AM

tombob

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Joined: Dec 2000

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The proper thermostat

I suspect I need to replace the thermostat in my '80 Bronco with a 351 engine. The one in there now is 160 degree thernostat; I decided to check this when I was changing the upper radiator hose. Teh temp of the heat emanating from the heater when at operating temp was warm at best.

According to the counter jockey at the auto parts store, the OEM calls for a 195 thermostat. Why would anyone put a thermostat in with a lower temp? It can get cold here in the winter!

Dec 1, 2002 | 03:13 PM

restorit

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Joined: Jul 2001

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From: Bismarck, ND

The proper thermostat

Someone more than likely put in a colder one to try to cool the engine down in summer, or to correct an overheating problem likely caused by some other factor (plugged radiator?). I don't know about the carbed engines, but my '85 EFI takes a 195 degree thermostat. Anything colder results in worse gas mileage, loss of power, and increased emissions. (The warmer engine temp allows your engine to burn fuel more efficiently.)

Dec 2, 2002 | 11:40 AM

JBronco

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Joined: Jun 2001

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From: Loveland, CO.

The proper thermostat

When I bought my Bronco in Florida, I'm not sure what t-stat was in it. It ran very cool, just around the first line on the gauge, but would heat up to about the "n" in normal when idling in hot weather with the a/c on. I thought there was something wrong with it. But when I moved to Colorado, I had no heat so I put in the 195 t-stat and found that it should run around the "n" in normal when warmed up, and I have heat now too. So I would say that the 195 is the correct t-stat.