160 or 190 thermostat

ging · 10-22-2006

Need some advice folks. '70 gt not getting warm (heater). Good flow thru the heater core. Temp gauge only goes up to about 140* (even at highway speeds). Likley a stuck open thermostat. Local auto supply company does not carry GT thermostats. OGTS carries 2 flavors of thermostats 160* and 180*. Which one is recommended? The car is a daily driver and is done so year round. Winter is coming and we have VERY little heat. We live in the south. Beleive it or not... it does get cold here. Which would you folks recommend.... 160* or 180* ?

Thanks a bunch
Ging and Dan

baronbors · 10-22-2006

Originally Posted by ging

Need some advice folks. '70 gt not getting warm (heater). Good flow thru the heater core. Temp gauge only goes up to about 140* (even at highway speeds). Likley a stuck open thermostat. Local auto supply company does not carry GT thermostats. OGTS carries 2 flavors of thermostats 160* and 190*. Which one is recommended? The car is a daily driver and is done so year round. Winter is coming and we have VERY little heat. We live in the south. Beleive it or not... it does get cold here. Which would you folks recommend.... 160* or 180* ?

Thanks a bunch
Ging and Dan

Evan in Georgia heat, it can't compare to Houston but you probably are cooler than we are- I run the 180 with no problems

timemachine · 10-22-2006

Stock thermostat is 189 F (87C), which also brings the engine to the proper running temperature. If you are chilly, why not go with that?
Also, make sure your heater bypass valve is working properly and that the water lines as well as the heater core are clear. A flush wouldn't hurt.
Jim

namba209 · 10-22-2006

Originally Posted by timemachine

Stock thermostat is 189 F (87C), which also brings the engine to the proper running temperature. If you are chilly, why not go with that? Also, make sure your heater bypass valve is working properly and that the water lines as well as the heater core are clear. A flush wouldn't hurt.
Jim

Pretty much all on the site know my thoughts on thermostats, but I'll say it one more time. A high rating thermostat allows the coolant to stay in the radiator longer to get cooled down by restricting the coolant flow into the engine. What I've done in the past, is to remove the heater coolant valve and thoroughly clean it. Also I have a high pressure fitting I put on a regular garden hose and force the fitting into the heater hoses which assists in flushing the heater core. I just swap the fitting from hose to hose which effectively reverse flushes the core until I get clean clear water out of the hoses. HTH.

kwilford · 10-22-2006

Originally Posted by ging

Local auto supply company does not carry GT thermostats.

Opel CIH thermostats (except the '75 EFI) are the same as for a Chevy small block. Buy them at ANY auto-parts store.
HTH

73Manta72gt · 10-22-2006

some folks run 190s in the winter and 160s in the summer..gives a little more heat in the winter and keeps the needle out of the red during city driving in the summer.

guyopel · 10-22-2006

Yes, the thermostat for a 70 to 80 model Chevy. V8 will fit . I use the 180 deg. NAPA and Pep-Boys and others should have one in stock.HTH John

Gumby · 01-27-2007

Is there a specific item number (or engine) so I can make sure I don't get the wrong one? Or can I just go in and say I need a thermostat for a 70 - 80's chevy small block V-8?

baronbors · 01-27-2007

I just went into Auto Zone today and asked for a 71 opel GT thermostat- it is in their data base. Thermo and gasket=$8

hrcollinsjr · 01-28-2007

Originally Posted by timemachine

Stock thermostat is 189 F (87C), which also brings the engine to the proper running temperature. If you are chilly, why not go with that?
Also, make sure your heater bypass valve is working properly and that the water lines as well as the heater core are clear. A flush wouldn't hurt.
Jim

DITTO! The lower temp thermostat will increase engine wear over the OEM spec one.

Harold

10-22-2006	#1 (permalink)
ging Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: georgia halfway betwixt Chattanooga and Atlanta Posts: 333	Unanswered: 160 or 190 thermostat Need some advice folks. '70 gt not getting warm (heater). Good flow thru the heater core. Temp gauge only goes up to about 140* (even at highway speeds). Likley a stuck open thermostat. Local auto supply company does not carry GT thermostats. OGTS carries 2 flavors of thermostats 160* and 180. Which one is recommended? The car is a daily driver and is done so year round. Winter is coming and we have VERY little heat. We live in the south. Beleive it or not... it does get cold here. Which would you folks recommend.... 160 or 180* ? Thanks a bunch Ging and Dan __________________ Ging *"You may have had* an Opel, but I've got one!"** Last edited by ging; 10-22-2006 at 02:56 PM. Reason: typo... 180 not 190

10-22-2006	#3 (permalink)
timemachine Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Swarthmore, PA Posts: 871 Real Name: Jim Provided Answers: 7	Stock thermostat is 189 F (87C), which also brings the engine to the proper running temperature. If you are chilly, why not go with that? Also, make sure your heater bypass valve is working properly and that the water lines as well as the heater core are clear. A flush wouldn't hurt. Jim __________________ '74 Manta ("Sig") '75 Sportwagon (project) '72 GT (whenever I get to it) Sold or wrecked: '72 Manta Rallye '73 Manta '74 Luxus

10-22-2006	#7 (permalink)
guyopel Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Duluth,Ga. Posts: 649 Real Name: John Provided Answers: 2	Yes, the thermostat for a 70 to 80 model Chevy. V8 will fit . I use the 180 deg. NAPA and Pep-Boys and others should have one in stock.HTH John __________________ Guyopel I have not failed - I've merely found 10,000 ways that won't work." ---Thomas Edison It's amazing what God lets man get away with when lightning is so cheap. Mark Twain

01-27-2007	#9 (permalink)
baronbors 1000 Post Club Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: League City Texas Posts: 1,117	I just went into Auto Zone today and asked for a 71 opel GT thermostat- it is in their data base. Thermo and gasket=$8 __________________ Texas Opel Preservation Society

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10-22-2006	#6 (permalink)
73Manta72gt Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Winston-Salem, NC Posts: 341	some folks run 190s in the winter and 160s in the summer..gives a little more heat in the winter and keeps the needle out of the red during city driving in the summer.

01-27-2007	#8 (permalink)
Gumby Supercharged 2.4 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Oregon Posts: 619	Is there a specific item number (or engine) so I can make sure I don't get the wrong one? Or can I just go in and say I need a thermostat for a 70 - 80's chevy small block V-8?

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