I recently had my car serviced ( 94 camaro Z28 LT1) in which the thermostat was replaced. The manual calls for a 180 degree thermostat and they replaced it with a 190 degree. I questioned them about this and they replied that it is not an issue and that this is fine. is it? Reason why I now ask is I blew a heater by pass hose and am wondering if the higher operating temperature of the engine could cause this

 

Very doubtful that it will harm anything. Definately not the cause of the hose issue. The cooling fans don't even come on until 220* or something like that.

 

A better question is if they used the right part #. AFAIK no one makes a 190* LT1 thermostat, only the stock 180* and 160*. Someone might make a 190* LT1 'stat, but if they just slapped a regular SBC thermostat in, that is WRONG. The temp would have nothing to do with blowing the hose but the incorrect thermostat could since it wouldn't be routing the coolant correctly.

 

This is true.

 

Shoebox always has some good info:

http://shbox.com/1/tstat.jpg

 

ok heres the scoop. A stant 195 degree thermostat was erroneously installed. The car ran hotter of course than a 180 and when idling would approach the red line. It was replaced by the correct one for free but im wondering if 4 months of usage with this t-stat could do any damage. opinions please?

 

If you did not have any real overheating, it should be ok.

 

it would have to be cooking hot to blow a hose that bad that or have some serious backed up pressure... i through a 160 temp in mine so on summer days it would stay at a decent temp while sitting still..

i honestly doubt ur coolant would ever get that hot if its doing any kind of movement through the radiator... maybe its just time to replace some of those old hoses. my lower radiator hose seems to keep popping holes in it so imma just replace them all when i get back from deployment

 

Just because you blew a hose when it is a little more hot does not mean something catastrophic is going on. The condition/age of the hose is a big factor.