[Orndorff8908]

So I've been trying to do research and I keep getting mixed answers wherever I look.

I have '68 Mustang with '73 302 in it. I only drive it in the spring/summer. I live here in Illinois and it gets pretty warm here in the summer. The car has never overheated, but sometimes when I'm driving in traffic, that scary needle gets a little too high for me. A little TOO high. I'm going to put a shroud around the fan. I'm also going to put on a heavy duty aluminum water pump. But I was just wondering which thermostat I should use? I've read using the 160* can cause internal damage over time. I've heard the 180* is great but I've heard a lot of guys say stick with the 195*. I just moved to a bigger city, so I'm going to have the itch to cruise it when it warms up and don't want it getting as hot as it has. I'll appreciate any feedback. Thanks guys!

 

[mhuggler]

Colder thermostats are a bandaid for inadequate cooling systems.

 

[Ivy66GT]

The only reason for a 160 is to keep from boiling out your alcohol antifreeze; an item which disappeared in the early 1960s. That was when Ford went to 192F for all their cars since its better for the engine. The local parts stores usually don't carry the 192 which is why most of the cars now use 180F.

The thermostat you use has nothing to do with overheating. If your car is running hot the stat will be wide open no matter what number is on it. In fact, you are more likely to maintain a constant 192 then you are a 180 since the hotter the radiator the more heat it can reject to the air.
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[sp66stang]

I use a failsafe 180