Hey ya'll,
Everything I read says my early 80's 8V-71N can use 170 or 180 degree thermostats. Any benefit/downside to one or the other? FYI, I live and travel in the southeast US, and have never had overheating problems. Just trying to figure out why there would be two options. Thanks in advance.
I would run the 180 f Tstats,
Dave M
Hey thanks Dave. Is there a reason why I'd choose 180 over 170? That's what I'm trying to figure out. I'm guessing that if I had overheating problems I might want to choose the 170 so it would open sooner maybe? Just looking for reasoning more than anything. Thanks again.
If your overheating with 180 which will be fully open a 195, if still climbing you have a problem. With a 170 you will still over heat. I prefer running in the 180-195 range if it goes to 200 I start the mister and do not let it get above 205.
Others have different opinions I am sure. Sooo YMMV
Dave M
The thermostat is only there to control underheating, not overheating. Higher temperatures, short of hurting the engine, will increase efficiency and performance.
The main benefit to using a 170 is the additional heating time of the coolant required before it overheats. If you do not have an overheating problem, there is no benefit to using the 170, that I know of.
It will take a bit longer before overheating, if you still have the original heating equipment. We have 13 gallons of coolant to heat up, so it takes a while.
For what it's worth.
Tom Caffrey
Thanks Tom. Good explanation. Pretty much what I was thinking, but just wanted a second opinion. My radiators were replaced before I bought my bus, so I have no cooling problems whatsoever. Of course my conversion is still pretty light and I'm a flat-lander, but time will tell I reckon'.