If we are to use a 185 degree thermostat, then what is the 160 degree one for?

 

Well, there's different stats for different applications. 160* stats are pretty common in applications that don't use a pressurized cooling system to raise the boiling point of the coolant (boat engines, for example).

I used to run 160* stats in my TPI engines all the time. Just about anything I did to those motors to make them run cooler or keep the engine bay cooler around them resulted directly in better performance.

I wouldn't recommend running a stat that cold if you live in an area with cold winters, but I've done it many times.

 

ok..would it hurt a new motor with a 160 degree thermostat and a fan that kicks on at 200 and turns off at 185? Also ..I live in west Tx where it climbs into the 90's and 100's in the summer time....plz let me know...thx

 

Won't hurt a thing. That would be an ideal situation to use a 160 stat. And your fan turn on/off temps are well matched to the thermostat so the fan won't be running all the time when it's not needed- like when you're cruising on the highway.

 

stock thermostat is 195

and the 160 will help keep temps down while driving and in mild traffic. but it will act just like stock thermostat when in stop-n-go.

to take advantage of the stat in heavy traffic you'll need a fan switch or a lower fan setting, which i think is sold in the summit cataloge