Anybody know what the original correct thermostat for a 73 L48 is?  My owners manual lists it as a 180deg,  My shop manual does not have a spec table on it, but in the thermostat replacement section it refers to it as a 195deg.  The NAPA online store lists the OEM as a 192-195.  My car has a 160 now which I know is too cold.

John

John, go with the owners manual, use the 180.

Thats what I was thinking!  I didn't think 195 would be a good idea here in Austin Texas with 100deg summers

John

The 160 stat will open faster, but, your engine temp. will be what it wants to be. All the stat does is, hold the coolant in the engine till 160,185,195, or what ever it's set to open, then it lets the coolant flow through the radiator.

It also controls the flow thru the radiator by slowing the flow down, so the radiator can cool the coolant in it. We used to put a round disk in the housing with a smaller hole drilled in the center to slow down the flow and give the radiator time to cool the engine or strip the guts out of an old stat and install that.

Denny

http://performanceunlimited.com/cobravalley_drivetrain/therm ostat.html

check that one (balanced thermostat). seems like 180 is the way to go

 In my 73 I have a 160 degree I run year round and I'm in Easton,PA.My radiator is new, Vettes run a bit warm anyhow I have no problem.On a hot summer day Lynne 73 runs around 175 degrees.

    Dave

I've got a 180 degree in my 74 L48 and it hasn't overheated even on the hottest days, and it gets to 105 or above here in Kansas.  Haven't had an overheat problem yet.  Of course, now that I say that, I probably will start having problems this summer!!

John,

I am running a 180 from Be-Cool that is "Fail-Safe."  If it goes bad, it will stay in the open position and not leave me overheated & stranded..........I hope!

Good luck,

Anthony