I asked a question about this yesterday, and I didn't exactly explain the problem well. Lemme try again...

I've got a 190 degree stat in my '69. Drove it all winter without any problems. Soon as it got warm outside, I noticed that the temp at idle tends to go up 30-40 degrees above 190. When driving, the temp is fine (so far). I'd expect there to be some increase in temp at idle, but is this a greater increase than there should be? The stat and coolant were replaced last winter, when I changed the intake and head gasket.

I'm wondering if maybe the radiator is a little clogged and not flowing well. Not sure how old the radiator is. May need replacing. I let the car sit for about a month. Any ideas?
Thx...

 

NO
If the rest of the sytem is right the water temp should be 190* over heating is over is way hotter than that I would look else ware . A 160 stat will prolbaly do the same thing

 

I don't think the older '69 engines were designed with a 190 degree thermostat, more likely a 180 degree stat, but I'm no expert.
what temperature do you call "overheating"???

 

With a older cars your actually going to run better when cooler, where as that is not as true with newer vehicles. I would use a 160* on it, where I wouldnt go below 180* on a newer vehicle. Do you have a 3 core or a 4 core radiator. If you have a 3, definetly upgrade to a 4 core.

 

I was thinking about getting a 4. Not a bad idea, if I have to replace the radiator. I've got a 160 stat for it now...but I had put a 190 in to try and get better heat when it was cold out. I just figured that the 190 would keep the coolant in the radiator longer, cool it off better.