Hey guys, got a question.

Ever since my intake/carb/distributor swap about a month ago, my engine has been running unusually cool.

Before I tore the engine apart, it had a stock alum intake, cc Qjet, cc HEI, and a 195* thermostat. I didn't like how it was always running on the hotter side of 'normal' on the guage. It was ALWAYS above 220*.

When I did the swap, it got a Holley 4bbl, Edelbrock intake, modified GM HEI, and a 180* thermostat to cool it off a little. Now the only way it gets to 220* or hotter is if its idling for awhile in traffic, but I don't think my fan has been used for about 2 weeks because it never got hot enough to turn it on. And this is my daily driver too, so it is being used regularly, and long enough to get to running temp too.

Is it such a bad thing that its running this cool? It seems to run perfectly fine, but I know that engines have an optimum running temp that they work best at and wear the least at, and its around 220* or so. But this is about where my engine runs all the time now (see pic). Is this anything to worry about?

BTW - the dash in the pic isn't mine. I just hijacked someone elses pic in a search, lol.

Pic:

 

Perhaps the stat is sticking open a bit.

 

Most GM cars are designed to run on the guage at that first line. My 89 with a 195 stays right on that line unless it idles in traffic. There has been way too much discussion here about ideal temp. A 180 is a good choice, anything lower usually results in degraded fuel economy.

 

Well, I was just curious, because it ran fine before (well, carb problems, but not temp related) and it still runs fine, but I was just wondering if its normal to run that cool.

Should I switch back to 195* when winter comes? It might be used in winter, but I want to avoid that. Even if its not my driver though, it would still be started and run from time to time (prolly once a week or so, to keep everything wet)

You welcome...

 

 

You might need a new rad cap. If it doesn't seal tightly it is difficult for the engine to get up to proper operating temp.