dawson1112

150 is far to cold for the engine to run to its full potential. The ecm wont even go into closed loop until around 180. Also at 150 its not hot enough to effectively burn oil vapor off your gonna end up with a lot of cabon deposits on the valves and pistions and likely foul out your plugs.

What does the pillar gauge read with the thermostat?

SLADE1988

don't know haven't put it in yet ill do that and get back to u

SLADE1988

what is optimum running temp?

dawson1112

195-215 is right about where mine always hovered at.

SLADE1988

new thermostat and gasket..... temp stays at 190 at idle.... can get it to about 195 at about 2 grand..... will my car run better now that the engine is warming to spec

dawson1112

It will at least go into closed loop now and not run so rich. The computer will have a much better handle on keeping timing and air/fuel mix optimal.

LOL see you were worrying about nothing.....
That's pretty good temps for texas, you may see it climb to 215 or 220 with some heavy footed driving . The fan doesn't even come on until 210 iirc.

SLADE1988

I ran my fan to an ignition relay because it wasn't coming on at all so now its just on lol...... but ya like I said at first I only paid 800 bux for the car.... score!!

SLADE1988

and also will I get better gas mileage?

dawson1112

For sure if the car never went into closed loop then it was always dumping extra fuel.

Same way a carbed car with a stuck choke uses more fuel.

SLADE1988

nice ..... ready to get off work so I can test it out