"Water not stay in the radiator long enough to cool..." Old wive's tale. The racers up the flow rate as much as possible to reduce hot spots within the engine. I've run with no thermostat and it never got above 140. I run mine over the mountains (5600 ft.) in the summer and found the 180 is too hot. Engine is noisier when it's hotter. 160 seems just right. I no longer drive it in the winter because the state is now using de-icer on the roads so I just leave the 160 in year round.

1951 3800 1-ton
"Earning its keep from the get-go"
In the DITY Gallery
1962 261 (w/cam, Fenton headers, 2 carbs, MSD ign.), SM420 & Brown-Lipe 6231A 3spd aux. trans, stock axles & brakes. Owned since 1971.