89TurboV6

Im going to installed a new t-stat/ temp switch in my 87 lg4 non cc q-jet with single electric fan and was wondering what is the best t-stat/ temp switch to use. The car has no cooling problems. On the highway it reads right at 1/2 mark of the guage but when in traffic it goes from the 1/2 mark to 1/8 away from the red line then the fan comes on and takes it back to 1/2. I would like to set my cooling system up so the temp stays in one spot (like in new cars) in traffic in stead of going up and down. Is this possible?

Thanks Mike

P.S: Is there a way to get to ******* old cooling tech article where it states what t-stat and switch to use together.

SweetS10v8

I dont know if it is possible(I know mine fluctuates), what your describing is a system that is properly fuctioning.

Anyways, I hope it turns out the way you want, i just dont think anything is you can really do

89TurboV6

There should be some way to set up the cooling system so it doesn't fluctuate. How do the new cars all keep a steady temp?Anyone else?

Edit: By the way nice car sweets10v8, I used to have a 89 black formula ws6

89TurboV6

ttt

FBody90Formula

My Firebird Was Doing The Same Thing You say Your Car Is Doing.I Put A Hypertech Fan Switch And Thermostat In It And It's Been Staying Steady In One Spot Pretty Much All The Time.Stays On About The 1/4 Spot On The.I got The switch that come on at 176 and off at 166 and a 160 degree tstat.they have other switches that aren't that low.

joshwilson3

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SweetS10v8

I dont understand why everyone thinks using a 160* t-stat is a good idea, why does everyone want to keep their engine from getting to its proper operating temprature?

A hotter motor has more complete combustion, makes more power, produces less emmisions, and gets better gas milage? What is everyone thinking when doing this??? You need cool air from the intake and cooler fuel to make more power, not cooler engine temps!

MechCD

I'd check and makes sure your radiator is clean, and maybe flush the radiator out. The fan should kick in right about when the guage is centered. Your gauge might be off, which I guess is common. Or maybe one of the sensors is off. The fan for sure should turn on around 220 (center of gauge). Personally, I think that running much below 190, the car won't ever heat up and run to its full efficiency.

New cars keep cool because they run 4 cylinder engines with a fan the same size as a v8 fan.

FBody90Formula

Those Are Automatic Switches...about everyone using 160* tstat ..i'm not sure why other people use them but with my fan switch being low temp i figured i'd try one with it..it seems to be working fine for me and the chip i have calls for a cooler switch and tstat.the car seems to running fine to me..it sure isn't running any worse

89TurboV6

I looked on jets site at the switches and t-stats and it doesn't state which temp they are. Also does the computer in carbed cars have anything to do with the fan switch? I live in canada and are carbs are not computer controlled. Im kinda lost here so point me in the right direction. I plan on installing a 180' t-stat so if anyone knows a good fan switch to go with that let me know.

Yeah I guess new cars also have better cooling systems and all aluminium engines which disapate(sp) heat better.

breathment

"New" car cooling systems don't differ much from "old" car cooling systems. They just work better because they haven't had time to deteriorate from lack of maintance. Once my temp guage hits the spot where the thermostat opens it doesn't move whether im in traffic or on the highway. The guage on my truck moves more then my car and the Truck is an 02 with an eletric fan swapped in.

MechCD

180 is a good compromise. My car did not run right stock with a 160 tstat. I only figured that out when I pulled my old stat out and it was a 160. After the 195 went in, my overheating problems actually went away.

25THRSS

New cars do fluctuate, but the guages just dont show it. They're no more good than a dummy light. For that, I like our guages better because you can actually see what is relatively going on.

SweetS10v8

See I wasnt far off Take comfort in knowing what is going on!!!

MechCD

Thats dead on. My dad's '90 Tempo has one fo those COLD - HOT gauges, it barely sneaks up past the first few lines after its been running for an hour. You can tell its plenty warmed up through the vents, but the gauge just doesn't show a useful range.

I like my temperature gauge, even if it is off a little (don't really know). Its much better than an idiot light or shall we call it an idiot gauge?

89TurboV6

Ok Im getting really confused now. Can someone explain where the sensors for the cooling system are in my car . I have a haynes manual but it is for american cars with cc-carbs. The only thing I can find is the fan relay and a plug in the pass side block with one wire running into it and then it goes into the wiring harness.

89formula383

Correctamundo. I hate new cars temp gauges. I was told that the manufacturers did it to ease people's minds that everything was okay, and to keep them from bringing the car in for service because the temperature was fluctuating (thus surely something must be wrong, hehe )

but again that reason is just what I heard, and have no way to verify it. if it's true, its just one more reason why i dislike humanity. :lala: