redstallion

i recently had my car tuned after having the exhaust put on...it's running great, except that it is pinging...sometimes pretty heavily

about two years ago I put in a new t-stat...I think it was either a 192* or 195*

should i have the shop retune the car it or maybe I should put in a lower temp thermostat?

what do you guys think??? Are there disadvantadges to a lower temp t-stat?

Also,,, Fuel quality isn't the issue because I only run 91 octane and have tried a couple stations and added octane booster...didn't seem to help

thanks for any suggestions

redstallion

Also, my temp gauge that I installed yesterday is reading a little bit over the 210* mark in my normal driving.

thanks for any ideas...

fast66

Take it back to the shop that tuned it and tell them its pinging. You have too much advance so they they need to adjust the timing correctly.
Did you get headers put on, or just and exhaust from the logs manifolds? If you have headers, they are creating the extra heat under the hood, but his shouldnt affect engine tune to any great extent.
The problem with a lower temp thermostat, is that if your radiator cant cope with the heat you engine produces, the thermostat will just open early, and stay open. if you reading 210, it will not matter what thermostat you have as a 160 -170-180-190 etc will all be open all the time anyway. Thermostats only work when the radiator is able to cool the system to below their rated temp.

redstallion

what is a "normal" temp to be running at???

I plan on getting a new 3 row radiator, flex-a-lite fan, and shroud (don't have one now) within the next few months so that should help.

i'm also thinking about getting header wraps to try and keep the temp down.

73Cleveland

What was the car running at before the tune up? Maybe the advanced timing is contributing to the enging running a little hot.

Running close to 200 should be normal. I know a lot of people have cars running as much as 215 with no problems but closer to 200 is better.

A thermostat around 190 should be just fine for notrmal driving.

I've heard others say that a shroud really helps cool things down. Maybe start there since it would be one of the cheapest ways to start.

You may want to do a search on fan shrouds to see what others here have tried.

redstallion

i dont know what temp it was running before the headers and tuning because the gauges were just put on this weekend...i'll start by fixing my exhaust leak, then retard the timing, then start replacing cooling system components...

thanks

Soaring

Anywhere from 190-210 is normal. With a new 3 row, fan and shroud, you will cut that down considerably. Also, be sure to put in some wetter water with the new anti-freeze mixture.