A 190 will keep the engine at 190-200. No, the thermostat is not an on/off item, it opens slowly to whatever partial position is required to maintain the exact temperature. Naturally, if you are driving uphill for 10 minutes, then downhill for 10 minutes, the 'stat will be open more during the uphill part to keep the hard-working engine at the right temp. Then on the downhill, it closes somewhat to keep that exact temperature.

 

what you need to do is a pressure check on the cooling system, I had the same problem and it was a blown head gasket the cylinder pressure made channel to the water jacket. All in all pressure check the system find your leaks and fix them.

 

how would you conduct a pressure check on the cooling system? i know how to check cyl pressure but not on the cooling. Now that its Monday im gonna order the Tstat and perhaps those guages..

 

i kinda like this one http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G29153-V/

So how do they hook up? Do you remove the old wires and replace with these ones or do they go somewhere else? if so, that means the guages on the dash will not be working?

 

You need a special tool to check cooling pressure. Basically, a pressure gauge with a fitting that replaces the rad cap.

 

I had my engine upgraded from an I6 200 to a 302. It was overheating in stop-and-go traffic. My engine builder pulled the stock fan and put in a 16 inch electric fan that pulls big time (measured in cubic feet per minute, CFM). The problem is now gone.

 

And now your fingers are safe

 

Those are nice and large for view (2 5/8") and are mech. so be aware that the sensor line/sensor for the water will be one piece meaning that you'll have to pass a ~3/4" fitting through your firewall from the inside to engine bay through some hole and a oil pressure line (plastic or metal) also, volts will be a wire. This is what makes the electric a little easier as it's all small wires.

If you want your stock gauges to work you'll have to get creative, your aftermarket intake should have addtl. water temp. openings probably at the rear, it needs to be a couple inches deep to fit the aftermarket sender so you may need to move the stock sensor/wire to the rear or vice/vs. It's pretty easy to tell which extra plugs are water, take one out when the cars cold. For the oil pressure you'll have to get a tee or drill/tap the stock oil pressure extension.
Jon

 

thanks dudes, will try to get a bigger radiator and some electroc fans by next summer. also, since i dont want to fill up the car with guages, do you guys know where i can get a nice aftermarket cluster for the 69? i saw some but they are way too expesnive, over a grand and nothing special. i could make one for 400 dollars but would buy one if the price was right...

 

I was thinking, do all radiators have the same specs? Meaning do you have to get a radiator that works with a V8 or can you install any radiator on any car?