Normal operating temp?

[Flyingthere]

Now that I have my '78 back on the road I have noticed that the temp runs at 190 or a little above, until the thermostat opens up and it cools back down around 185 or so. In south Texas the temp stays up for the majority of the year and anything below 70F might as well be negative numbers . I am wondering what I should expect next summer when it runs in the upper 90s during the day and it drops down to the lower 90s in the evening.

Any thoughts?

Flyingthere

[So Cal Mark]

the theory of the thermostat is to maintain a constant temp no matter what the outside temp. Engines like constant temps, not a varying situation

[mdrburchette]

It sounds like it's working properly to me. Just make sure your cooling fan comes on when it goes a little past the 1/2 way mark. I'm in an area where the temps get in the upper 90's and the only time the car gets hot enough for the fan to come on is while idling for a period of time.

[mbouse]

har har har... i drove for an hour or so yesterday as well; with the top down, of course.

outdoor temp was in the high 50's; and my t-gauge was reading MAYBE 170°F. of course, i was diverting as much as possible of the available hot water to the cabin. I am betting if i didn't, the gauge MIGHT have gone as high as 185°F.

i would have wished for warmer temps, but that just wasn't the case.

sounds like your T stat is functioning properly.