WHAT Thermostat, 195 or 180?

[Jochen Woern]

Need to replace the Thermostats on my Suburban and would like to know if I should go with the original 195 degree one or if I should change to 180 degress?

What are your suggestions/recommendations?

Thanks in advance.

[76m880]

i would do a 180 thats what i have in my suburb

[More Power]

ACDelco stats are only available as a 195, if memory serves. If you want to go cooler, you'll need to look at Robertshaw (or Mr. Gasket - repackaged RS), which is also a high-flow design.

If heat is a killer of the injection pump electronics, running 180's will lower the average engine temp by 15 degrees... ;)

Some feel running 180's will allow a typical fan-clutch to engage a little sooner (which is a good thing), cuz the hot coolant will begin circulating through the radiator and begin shedding heat a little sooner.

Some feel 195's are better for efficiency - i.e. fuel economy. Maybe...

The LB7 Duramax runs a pair of t-stats, one rated for 180 and one at 185.

I was told back in the 1990's that Peninsular ran 160 degree t-stats in their marine 6.5's. After learning that, I ran a 160 in the 6.2L GMC I once owned. Plenty of cab heat during our cold Montana winters and the truck would deliver 22-24 mpg during the summer.

So, which is best? Being PC, I say either 180 or 195... :)

Jim

[DennisG01]

I wondered this same thing about a year ago. I found there was support for the use of both the 185 and 195, but I eventually made my decision based on John Kennedy's recommendation - 195's.