Please ask your engine builder...

[decooney]

Hi Bob,
I was reading an older post you made on the 180 vs. 160 thermostat thread. Clearances, oiling, oil design, etc... Your points are well taken and I'm doing some re-evauation on this myself in regards to winter vs. summer driving temps. I have realized some interesting characteristics about my engine when running at 160 or 180 temps and especially the valvetrain and throttle response under loads. 20 degrees makes a big difference here to me, and I just keep thinking about the clearances and factors revolving around how these motors, parts, and oils were designed to run in the first place.

Question:
Can you confirm what thermostat your local engine builder is using on the FEs that go with your cars?. I may go back to a 180 for lots of reasons, but just thought I'd bounce it off you again just to see what they say or what you might have to add here. Thanks, Duane.

[Bob Putnam]

Duane,

We use a 180F thermostat in all our turnkeys. The small hole we drill for an air-bleed typically drops the temperature to 175F on the road.