Can an engine run tooo cool?

[422STROKER]

Well after taking a nice long drive(1+hrs) waiting in traffic etc, the hottest the car got was 165-170.  Cruising around it held at 155-160 or so.  I just want to know if it can run too cool and be a problem?

This is a serious question.

Tom

[73Chally]

I would not think too cool would be a problem, but if you want it to run warmer you should probably just need to put in a new thermostat.  Do you run electric radiator fans or anything fancy?  Also, could your gauge be off, or is it a newer aftermarket gauge?  My original always made it look like it was running hotter than it really was.

[6packCuda]

That does sound a little on the cool side but not too bad.  Do you have a thermostat in it? I think I'd run at least a 165 degree thermostat.

[422STROKER]

I'm running a 160 stat along with a summit aluminum radiator and a shroud with HD Clutch Fan.

Tom

I thought the 422 would run hotter.
I have a new Aftermarket Guage and the factory one reads on the second line.  I put the aftermarket one in because I thought the factory guage was reading low.

By tdavist, shot with DSC-P72 at 2008-05-25


By tdavist, shot with DSC-P72 at 2008-05-24

[Changin Gears]

Sounds like that 160 thermostat is working as designed.  Its pobably fine like that except the heater won't be too warm.

[422STROKER]

Sounds like that 160 thermostat is working as designed.  Its pobably fine like that except the heater won't be too warm.

That is what I was thinking.  I just expected it to delay it heating up a bit.  But maybe I should run it hotter?  Well, I guess I will wait until it is 90+ out to make that call.  I just wondered if it was bad to run that cool with condensation or something?

Tom

[fantum]

I never had a problem with running cool  -  during the summer.  As forecasted by someone earlier, it took a while to warm up the inside of the car in the winter time.

I'd wait until later in the summer when the temperatures are up and you can get a better feel of how it runs then.  On the fuel side, when the fuel is cooler it is denser and the car doesn't need as much right foot action to make quick work of a blue oval or bowtie boy/girl.


fantum

[422STROKER]

Usually makes quick work of the tires.

Thanks I'll keep an eye on it for sure.

Tom

[GoodysGotaCuda]

Too cool will promote excessive cylinder wall wear. As the temperature goes up, wall wear goes down.

160 is too cold if you want longevity.  I run 180*, it holds there very solid, extreme heat/long highway cruises it may creep to 195*. But then again, less cylinder wear. I used to run a 160* stat and thought 'cooler was faster', for some reason people tend to think that their engine running very cool is like a 'status symbol' almost.  I've gone through school, and run a 180* in my pickup and my 'Cuda. Just my personal preference.

[422STROKER]

Now this is what i was worried about, should I swap it nowto a 180 and if it seems too hot later put the 160 in?

I'm confused.

Tom

Kind of like my wife, HOT COLD HOT COLD, 

[GoodysGotaCuda]

The thermostat does nothing but regulate the engine temp. It sounds like you have a solid cooling system, a 180* stat should keep the engine steadily at 180*. It may be the 160* stat is almost wide open to keep the engine that temp, the 180* will be half and still have more room to open coolant flow to your system if 'demand' rises...

[DAYLEY/CHALLENGER]

Hey Tom.  My temp guage  in the rally dash is orig and it never goes even half way either.  I haven't pulled the thermostat to see what it is because without the heater box hooked up yet and no overheating, I just haven't needed to see if it is even one in there.  I thought the 440 would run hotter too, but it hasn't.  And the past few days here it has been in the 90s.  By the way, my fuel guage reads about the same too...........

[422STROKER]

Hey Tom.  My temp guage  in the rally dash is orig and it never goes even half way either.  I haven't pulled the thermostat to see what it is because without the heater box hooked up yet and no overheating, I just haven't needed to see if it is even one in there.  I thought the 440 would run hotter too, but it hasn't.  And the past few days here it has been in the 90s.  By the way, my fuel guage reads about the same too...........

Thanks guys, I filled it up tonight and the guage read full!

The thermostat does nothing but regulate the engine temp. It sounds like you have a solid cooling system, a 180* stat should keep the engine steadily at 180*. It may be the 160* stat is almost wide open to keep the engine that temp, the 180* will be half and still have more room to open coolant flow to your system if 'demand' rises...

Goody that sounds like a plan, I guess I can swap it back later if there is a problem with heat in the Summer.

Tom

[Jacksboys]

I am running a 185 thermostat and my 360 stays in the 175 to 185 range most of the time.  It did go to 210 once, but I was stuck idling in traffic for a long time in hot weather. 

[Aussie Challenger]

  The thermostat is a valve, the min temp. is set by it, it holds the water back until that temp is reached. Too cool will cause excessive engine wear, 180 should be the min. for a street motor to give good service and power. If the radiator is blocked or has poor air flow then the temp. of the motor will go a lot higher. Most motors will stand up to 210 deg F with a radiator cap in the 15lbs range, however 190 should be a good operating temp. ( don't put in a 210 even if you could find one though ).
  If you take out the thermostat and your cooling system is in good condition, the motor will probably run around 110 - 120 deg F, on the other hand if you leave the thermostat out and it runs around 180/190 normal driving then you probably have a problem.  Hope this may help...