Ideal water temp
 

I have a stock 5.0 in my 90 GT. At 112k, I upgraded to a 3 row brass rad, a replacement stock-type fan, a new fan clutch, a Stewart water pump, and a Robertshaw high flow thermo. The car also takes longer to warm up but I contribute that to the holes in the high flow thermostat, which I can always replace. It obviously takes longer for the heater to get hot, but since my car runs MUCH cooler, the heat will get warm, but not as warm as it used to be. Suggestions?


My temp gauge used to hover a little below the midpoint on the gauge (about 190 I guess). Now my car runs at about 130, is this too cold? What are the advantages and disadvantages of this? Milage, power, engine wear, oil consumption/pressure from not being warm enough?

First, an accurate temp reading needs to be done (AutoMeter gauges are nice). If you're really running at 130, then that is way too low. Remember, these cars came stock with 195* termo's. That's where Ford engineers determined that the cars ran most effiecently in all aspects.

When I installed my Griffen radiator w/180 T-stat, the car ran too cold (165 ish) so I installed a 195 T-stat and now the car runs around 185 - just a bit cooler than stock which is good for HP, but doesn't get too carried away with cold temps.

E

I forgot to mention in my original post that the Robertshaw stat I'm using is a 180.

No one answered the question, what's the ideal water temp for a stock 5.0? I know its 195 from the factory, but will running the car too cold, let's say under 160, cause damage to the engine?

I believe Eric did:

Re: Ideal water temp
 

You need to check your connections and such because I don't think its possible for that motor to run that cold reguardless of what thermostat you use, or don't use.
Like was mentioned in another post around 190 is where the engineers have determined the engine is most efficient. Anything under around 180 causes the oil to sludge up.

ANSWER:
The ideal temp for a stock 5.0 is about 195 degrees. They are designed to run the best at 205, but they seem to like 195 better. 160 will cut the lifespan of your engine by 30% or more, clog your exhaust, and make you stink like gasoline.

The "ideal" temperature inside the combustion chamber will be the highest temperature attainable without detenation. But the ideal water temp for the 5.0 is around 195, in most cases.