[A.J.'s Superior Automotive]

Larry,
The stock thermostat is 180 degree they do offer a 160, but I wouldn't put that in my car. Thermostats do 2 things they open at a given temp and they control the coolant flow. In other words if you remove your T-stat your temp guage may read cool but the fast flowing water dosen't have time to transfer the heat. So were does all that heat go ? It's like waving your hand over the flame of a candle stick the faster you wave your hand the less heat it transfers. The "colder 160 T-stat" just opens sooner, but it does keeps the flow regulated. There are other negitives to running cooler t-stats like drivability problems. May be ok for a bandaid but not for long term.
So I'm looking at my Stant Catalog and it shows 1954-1961 uses 180 degree and 1963-1966 uses 195 degree. 1962 is not listed not sure what the change was if any. The Catalog is not specific to Thunderbird, just Ford car 390. I would give Stant customer service a call @ 1-800-822-3121

Are you sure yours isn't just weak and not opening all the way? I like to use t-stats that fail in the open position.

Good Luck A.J.

Originally Posted by 62 Bird

My '62 Bird is running hot. I really need a new radiator but can't afford one right now because I am unemployed.

Question 1- What degree thermostat could I put in so it would run cooler but not damage the engine?

Question 2- What if I just removed the existing thermostat and left it without one?


Thanks

Larry