What is a good temperature

jjkeenan said

Have a 62 valiant 225 cu in with automatic, Spotless radiator(flow tested,) and block new water pump and 160 thermostat. after about three miles at 60 or so on a 90 degree day the running temp hits 185-190 never boils over or bangs etc? all belts are tight and airflow clear. Thought this could be a little high. Timing is spot on at 2 1/2 before TDC. Maybe this is normal and maybe not does not effect running or idle ???

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The stat sets the MINIMUM running temperature. If the temp falls below the setpoint, then the stat closes and tries to maintain its rating.
The cooling system efficiency sets the upper limit. By 30/35 mph ram air is the major player in heat removal.
Between zero mph and 30/35, is where most problems arise. If your system maintains 185/190 in that speed range, then it is doing just fine.
Go back to post #2
My slanty like 10* initial, but that requires reworking the distributor, to limit the WOT full-load timing, to prevent detonation on the 87E10 I run in it..