The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 270 Cooling Question

It should be pointed out that a 160 thermostat doesn't prevent your engine from operating at temperatures above 160 degrees. It begins to open at 157-165 degrees and doesn't fully open until the engine reaches 185 degrees.

It's purpose is to allow the engine to warm up faster on cold starts by staying closed until the 160 temp is reached.

Your engine is going to operate at whatever is normal for that engine. That's probably somewhere between 180 deg and 200 deg.

I use a 160 T-stat in my 216 even though the factory standard T-stat was 143 deg. Using either one doesn't limit the temperature at which the 216 is designed to run which is 180deg under normal conditions.