160 Thermostat

ponyboy14

Well-known member
Hey Guys

Just installed a 160 t-stat in my 200 and switched to a 5-blade flex fan off of a Fairmont. Runs fine now at about 185-190 for about 15 minutes and then she shoots up to 220-225 and won't come back down even on the interstate. Anyone ever run into this? Will gladly except any solutions or ideas on the problem. Possible air lock???
 
Verify your timing. You can see behavior like this when your timing is too far retarted.

I was having a similar problem even after installing a 3-row radiator. It turned out my hamonic dampner had slipped 10 degrees over the years and when my TDC mark said I was at 13*, I was really at 3*.
 
Hi,

I had overheating problems with my Mustang after replacing the head and thermostat. I followed the advice to drill a 1/8 hole in the flange of the thermostat and the problem was solved. Try it you'll like it.

Bob
 
Have you checked for a blown head gasket? Do you have milky oil? OR Water or coolant smell from the tail pipe? If your raditor is not pluged up then I would check for a blown headgasket!
 
I have a 250 in my 1969 mustang and have tried everything to solve this heating problem. I finally drove about 40 miles to get it "hot" and then stopped removed the radiator cap and with the car running stuck in a thermomentor and it read 192-195 degrees, the radiator flow looked good. The gauge on the dash, the original, was nearly pegged to the hot side. I looked for a head gasket leak, also looked to see if the overflow was spilling out(nope), checked for shorts to the gauge, replaced the sending unit, replaced the thermostat, I have been monitoring the coolent level(not losing any), checked for oil contamination and coolent contamination.

Clearly the engine is not that hot so I may install a new gauge on the top of the column just so I feel better as I have never seen a replacement for the original dual gas/temp gauge. Have I missed anything... ?

Jim
 
Thanks for the replies guys. I am going to try drilling a hole in the t-stat. Hopefully that does the trick. I know the radiator isn't plugged, I flushed it when I took it out to change the fan blade. I am praying it isn't the head gasket. I haven't even put 500 miles on the car since the rebuild.
 
Howdy Ponyboy14:

FYI- a 160 thermostat is designed to open at 160 degrees. The engine will continue to heat up to it's normal operating temperature. YOu may need a 180 for wintr in Iowa to get the engine to efficient operating temp.

And- Flushing and/ or back-flushing will not unplug plugged tubes. The top has to be removed and each tube poked through with a rod.

Other things to check-
*make sure the lower rad hose has the spring inside to keep it from collapsing and cavitating.
*Make sure your radiator cap is holding pressure.

Good luck and be sure to report back what worked.

Adios, David
 
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