Flathead Thermostat:

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Oct 27, 2007 | 11:25 AM

leonharu

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Laughing Gas

Joined: Nov 2001

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From: Cherryville,N.C.

Flathead Thermostat:

I know this has been brought up a million times ,but here goes again.Which is the best to use for the best cooling on a 1952 Ford 239 flathead?A 160 or a 180 degree thermostat?Can anyone give me some direction on this?Thanks,Russell

Oct 27, 2007 | 12:15 PM

F6Guy

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from my personal experience with my truck, a 180 degree thermostat. A 160 just runs to cool unloaded and to hot when its working.

Oct 27, 2007 | 02:01 PM

propane32

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Joined: Feb 2004

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From: walnut cove,nc

160,s working great in mine

Oct 27, 2007 | 04:21 PM

F6Guy

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by works fine do you mean it does not overheat? My truck would run 150 degrees all day long without a load which is way too cool for me as my engine runs alot better with the 180's for instance it burns the fuel alot better my plugs are not nearly as dark as they were before and I had to turn my idle down a hair as it idled faster once it got to operating temp. Also when I hauled a load it would run around 230 degrees vs 200 with the 180's. I noticed you go by propane 32, did you modify your engine to run on propane?

Quote:

Originally Posted by propane32

160,s working great in mine

Oct 27, 2007 | 09:08 PM

mtflat

Lead Driver

Joined: Oct 1999

Posts: 6,779

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From: Kalispell, MT

I run 180's for the same reasons F6guy talked about.

Oct 27, 2007 | 11:23 PM

ALBUQ F-1

Fleet Owner

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 27,300

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From: NM

Engines wear faster at cooler temps. On flatties, it builds sludge from vapors that don't evaporate. If it overheats with 180's, it will overheat with 160's.