How warm is enough?

[sothpaw]

How warm do I have to get the engine for it to be "warmed up" enough to prevent engine damage? I know with the older carborated engines, taking the car on short trips consistently
caused carbon build up because the engine never got warm enough to burn that off.

The reason I ask: I still have my summer thermostat (160) installed. I had been changing it out
every fall to the stock 180.

I wonder if that is really necessary. I took the car to work the other morning and it only got
to 172 oil temp. Took it home, and with the help of a traffic jam and a little driving excitment,
the oil temp. reached 192 (I'm pretty sure that's enough). Of course just last week I had it
at the track and the oil hit 210, so carbon before that should be gone.

 

[c4ever]

172 is a little low IMO. I like to see a minimum of 180+. My 85 coolant temp runs about 175 on a FL cool morning while cruisin but my oil temp always runs at about 185-190 and can reach 215-220 on hot days.

Carlo

 

[Edmond]

I always warm the coolant up to 150 before driving. The oil gauge doesn't come on until the coolant reaches 196 and the oil starts off at 150.

I figure a few minutes of letting the car warm up won't do me any harm. I even warm the car up for trips as short as 5 miles. I think I use up more gas warming the car up than driving!:L

 

[fixvet]

Your oil temp. needs to hit 200 or more to really burn off moisture condensation in the system.

 

[Vettelt193]

I think swapping the stat wouldn't be worth it. Your car's oil won't run that much warmer. you are better off getting it up to temperature at least once a week by driving it on more than just a short trip.

 

[sothpaw]

short trips

...I don't take it on short ones since the weather got cold.
When I mentioned work...that's 25 mi. Depending on traffic,
it might only get to 172(oil, F).

 

[Vettelt193]

your roller rockers are keeping it cooler than usual as well. I guess you could switch to the warmer Tstat, but I am guessing your oil won't run much warmer. What temp does your coolant run?

 

[sothpaw]

178 F, never higher since summer.

 

[rrubel]

Simple answer: more track days and trips to Capitol Raceway dragstrip!
[RICHR]