General Thermostat Question:
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,338
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From: UPSTATE NY
General Thermostat Question:
When installing a hotter (195 vs 180) thermostat in a system that functions just fine solely for the purpose of gaining hotter heater vent temps during the winter does that affect fuel economy or ignition timing in any way?
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,338
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From: UPSTATE NY
I have done this before with a 205 degree thermostat and it worked outstanding for the heater, but I did not record fuel economy at that time nor "feel" a loss in performance. And I was always messing with my carburetor so much, so I was messing with my timing alot too. I have found a carburetor and timing adjustment that works perfect for me. I have a 180 in it right now and want to put a 195 in it and not a 205 since i believe 205 may have possibly and may still cause wear and tear on the motor. I love my carburetor and timing adjustment right now and I wish to leave it that way and not mess with it. And I dont want to do this mod and all the labor that goes with it just to figure it out for myself if someone has possibly taken readings and recorded how the motor reacts and can chime in to save me the hassle. Otherwise i'll just put a coat on and suck it up. It has a 180 in it right now fyi. I'm from Florida and now living in Jersey im cold!
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,893
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From: Ohio
I've never really paid attention to fuel mileage when changing thermostat. Never readjusted anything. The extra 10-15* can't make that much of a difference in my opinion.
I can see it with FI cars, as the temp will change what the computer sees and will adjust timing/fuel/etc and make differences. With a carb and old dizzy, nothing will change but the temperature.
I can see it with FI cars, as the temp will change what the computer sees and will adjust timing/fuel/etc and make differences. With a carb and old dizzy, nothing will change but the temperature.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2007
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Welcome to Joursey, im a transplant too. Its warming up now. summer is right around the corner, leave the 180 in there.
I wish I had an answer to your delema. I could think of a few reactions your motor could have, by running a bit hotter, but I dont have any proof to back up my educated guess.
I wish I had an answer to your delema. I could think of a few reactions your motor could have, by running a bit hotter, but I dont have any proof to back up my educated guess.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,338
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From: UPSTATE NY
thanks for the help freightrain and 72, finally somebody replied to help me out. i was about to say screw it, i'll go out and spend the WHOLE afternoon working on my truck. take vacuum readings, timing adjustments, fuel adjustments, then record the engines performance and transform it all into a giant math problem and not share the results with anyone on here. most people think there is such a thing as a stupid question, but not when youre like me and take a genuine interest in these sort of things and MUST find out the right solution when stumped. every single thing i've learned working on this truck i'll be able to use throughout life, and lend a hand to somebody else who has an older vehicle and doesnt know what their doing. again thanks for the reply freightrain and 72...
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 266
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From: salt lake
going to a hotter thermo. wont do any thing to your timing or carb. adjustment. but it will hurt your fuel and power a little. power you wont fell but for fuel you will lose a mile or two per gallon at most. and this is only because the fuel is getting hotter in the intake (hotter gas do's not burn as efficient imo). but my gas drop could have been due to worming it up before i drove it. i did this to my 72 when it had a heater lol.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2004
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: UPSTATE NY
really? thanks a million. i thought 180 was normal and 195 was hot. the reason i am paranoid about fuel/air mixture and ignition timing issues is because doesnt fuel ignite more easily at one temperature than another? thus a cold engine requires a choke so the mixture is richer....
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Anchorage, Alaska
On FE's I've always had to run cardboard in front of the radiator in cold weather to keep warm. Doesn't seem like the thermostat makes much difference. I always blamed the bypass hose (from back of water pump to intake) bypassing enough around the thermostat to make the engine run cold.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,893
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From: Ohio
The choke helps start a motor that is 20*, after the heads get some heat in them, combustion isn't that difficult and I don't see a 10-15* difference in the water being any different as for power.
Like I mentioned, it only makes big differences in computer controlled cars were parameters are changed because of temp changes.
195* has always been a stock temp, and the 180* and 160* were available for hotter climates where you surely don't need it to get to 195*. Lots of guys with Mustangs would put the 160* thermo in their car to get the computer to think it's still cold and put more fuel to it=more power.
Like I mentioned, it only makes big differences in computer controlled cars were parameters are changed because of temp changes.
195* has always been a stock temp, and the 180* and 160* were available for hotter climates where you surely don't need it to get to 195*. Lots of guys with Mustangs would put the 160* thermo in their car to get the computer to think it's still cold and put more fuel to it=more power.