[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by Wayne Maybury

The engine is designed and probably built to run at 180 to 190 degrees. Operating it for an extended period of time at a temp well below 180 means that the tolerances are not correct. For example the pistons are aluminum and the cylinders are steel. The 2 expand at different rates with the change in temperature but are machined to operate at 180 not 140 degrees.

As a rule of thumb, your engine sustains more wear in the first 5 minutes of operation than it does in xxx miles (sorry, I can't remember the number of miles).

Wayne

I had to replace my thermostat and the closest engine catalog listed a 195. Mine was 180. Any advantage or disadvantage in going higher?