I have a 76 L-82 with the original engine. Had it rebuilt by a reliable performance shop. It is punched out 30 over, has a 268 Comp Cam, new lifters and valve springs, oil pump, double roller timing chain and gears, Holly intake, professionaly rebuilt Q-Jet carb, headers, MSD coil, MSD Spark Box with chips, new wires, water pump, hoses and rebuilt radiator. What thermostat would work the best here in the Texas heat and what would that do to the performance of the engine. It seems to be running around 200 degrees. The transmission is a Turbo 400. Any help is always appreciated. Thanks Vettedude76

Your engine is running right where it's designed to. 200-210 degrees is optimal for your car. A 195 degree thermostat is stock. That's even amazing considering how the engine has been built up and the Texas heat. The shop that built the engine for you must have really known their stuff. There's reason to change a thing.

Many don't understand what a thermostat is for. It's there to get the engine up to proper temperature withing a reasonable amount of time for best performance, emissions, etc. A lower temperature unit will open sooner, and make the engine take too long to get to designed running temp, but won't stop an overheating engine from overheating...it will just take slightly longer to do so. If the engine doesn't run hot enough, oil deposits, acids, etc., don't get burned out of the system, which is bad for the engine, there will be excessive emissions, the exhaust system doesn't get hot enough to burn out moisture.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

how about if you have a vacuume advance kit. I know on fuel inj. cars with chips or pcm reprograming with a perforamance advance it is recommended to use a cooler t stat. Would this be the same for my car. I'm just thinking of going down to a 180.
rj

What Gunslinger said is right on the money...!!!

Thanks for the info. I just changed the unit to a 180 but will concider changing back to a 195 I really appreciate the education on the proper way a thermostat is supposed to work. Thanks Vettedude76