My nail likes to run cool in the cold and hot in the heat. Could be a stuck open thermometer from sitting idle. Anybody know what the local shop part number is for a 160 vs the standard 180 for the nail... and which one is better? and why?
Well, depending on the area of the country,,,,for instance in south Fla. I would go with a big clean radiator and a 165 deg. thermostat,,, further north a 180 deg. and way up north a 195 deg. ....and add to that,,,, back in 65 , we usually would run a 165 in the spring and summer and change out to a hot thermostat for the fall and winter,,,, so the heater would be good and warm.... The best thermostats IMHO is the poppet type made of brass by Robertshaw.... but never run without one,,, I like the railroad approach , run a good oversize radiator and then make the temp come up by the thermostat....
I like Doc's comment about the "railroad approach", I too believe that it is the correct way to go at cooling. If everything is adequate and in good shape, the engine should run at the thermostat temperature. That is what it's for. My nailhead-powered Chevy pickup has the monster Diesel radiator and a 180 deg 'stat. It runs at 180 period. I can tow, idle in traffic on a 90 deg. day, overheating is not an issue.
