I have a goodwrench 350 crate motor in my 1982 firebird. It was running close around 210 F, which I thought seemed a little warm. I bought a 180 degree thermostat and put that in but it is still running around 210. Is this a normal running temp for this motor? If not, what may be causing it to overheat more? Is it possible that I need a cooler thermostat. I looked at the old one and it said it was a 160 degree. I'm just looking for some advice and guidance as to what I should do.

 

The thermostat only sets the minimum temperature, and goodwrench 350 crate motor is mostly irrelevant.

Is there stuff between the radiator and the condensor? Do you have the air damn on the car, is it damaged?

 

It's amazing how many people think the thermostat decides the temperature the engine runs at. It decides the minimum temp. The rest of the cooling system decides the maximum...

 

usual thermostat on goodwrench 350 type stock engines(1971-85 era) was 190* 210 is just a little warm but no concern-probably the gauge is "off"a little(stock electric gauge?) or sender in a "hot spot"

 

This is my first time working on cooling systems and am still very dumb when it comes to this stuff. Could you elaborate a little more on where the condensor? I'm assuming the air damn is underneath the car and deflects air upwards for better cooling. There is a strip that is under the nose that looks like it it meant to direct air into the radiator but its pretty beat up and is held up in the middle with some chicken wire. I'd imagine this is part of the problem.

 

Yep, I didnt think to research a little more on thermostats before I just went and bought one. I'll keep looking for what may be causing it to run warm. Thanks for the response.

 

The stock gauge does not work. I wired in a new autometer gauge, so I know I have a gauge that works properly. As for a Hotspot, heres a picture of where the sending unit is. You probably have a better guess as to whether or not this would be a Hotspot. Any more insight would help a lot.

 

220 is the normal operating temp of these cars. 210 is completely normal.

GD