by mikeysly Sat Jul 07, 2012 8:38 amanyone know what temp. thermostat to use on 68' straight 6 250? Shops say 192 but i wanted a little cooler so i thought 180 but i see some guys are sayin' 160. Advantages? Disadvantages? My radiator still pukes a little every now and then and it still doesn't want to start right up when it's hot so i thought maybe thermostat. Can't go too cool 'cause i need heat in the winter and right run temp. for efficient combustion. It actually runs really nice other than this finesse stuff but of course i want it perfect, i.e. start first time every time and no coolant leaks.
3 posters
2nd gen. L-6 250 thermostat
mikeysly- Number of posts : 284
Location : Durango and front range CO and Delaware valley
Registration date : 2012-05-29
DanTheVanMan- Commissioner
- Number of posts : 7905
Location : Escanaba, Michigan
Age : 62
Registration date : 2008-10-08
Mike, I'm running a 175-160 in mine with electric fan and it works good. Just need a larger capacity radiator. A stock rad can't cool the fluid fast enough between cycles. And if you do make the switch and have a elec. fan, make sure your thermo-switch matches you thermostat rating or she'll overheat about 20 minutes down the road (Lessons learned 
)!!!
Dan
)!!!Dan
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donivan65- Governor
- Number of posts : 12245
Location : San Diego, California
Registration date : 2008-05-12
So are you saying it cranks OK, but it won't fire when it gets hot?
mikeysly- Number of posts : 284
Location : Durango and front range CO and Delaware valley
Registration date : 2012-05-29
Yes, it cranks fine, but after it warms up and i park briefly it doesn't easily start back up. Cranks fine always but when hot i have to give it extra gas to make it start. I made some improvements, added a carb. insulator gasket, burped the radiator, got the fuel line further from heat sources, checked my electric with a voltmeter, (12.5 volts seems to be getting around the system pretty well though spark out of the plug wires could possibly be more vigorous), installed a 5 blade clutch fan and it all helps bit by bit but still have some puking and reluctant hot restart. Got the 180 degree thermostat ready to go just wonderin' if i should go lower but don't want to lose heat in the winter(cold enough as it is) and want efficient combustion for engine health
donivan65- Governor
- Number of posts : 12245
Location : San Diego, California
Registration date : 2008-05-12
I am afraid there aint no 195w-160 thermostats,,,,,,you will freeze with a 160 in Winter, run hotter in the Summer with a 195,,,,,,but the hard hot start is HEAT SOAK,,,,,nothing to do with the radiator,,,,,all our vans have it,,,,,,the gas boils over into the carb and floods it out,,,,you should just hold the gas pedal down to let more air into the intake until it starts,,,,and there is the fumes,,,,because the gas is just sitting there in the bowl,,,,,there is no smog equipment to capture the fumes,,,,,best deal is a Hamburger fan,,,,a small fan on the bellypan blowing air up into the radiator,,,,I put ceiling fan wind up timers on ours,,,,park the van, twist the timer,,,,,go get your hamburger,,,come back,,,,fan cools down radiator and carb,,,starts easy,,,,doghouse and you are cooler,,,,if engine statrs running hot in traffic, click on the fan and temperature goes down,,,,,,I would not leave home without one,,,,,,
