Hey Merry Christmas,

69 Camaro with a 350 and TH350. Engine (old and new) has always run around 170 degrees in both summer and winter. Installed several thermostats with various opening temps and still same issue. Had the problem with the 350 that was in it when I bought it, and last year I put a long block 350 in it and have the same problem. Tried a couple different thermostats in the new one too. Any suggestions?

 

Might be your gauge not working right.

 

Thermo temp in older times was 180 degF. Nowadays the thermo temp is 195 degF.
IMO, if carb'd, leave it. If EFI fed, run a hotter thermostat.

 

Engine temp doesn't get above around 170 so the problem isn't the thermostat. The issue is why won't the engine temp exceed 170? Car has a temp gauge, not the boob light. ??

 

Why is that a problem? and again it may be the gauge sticks at 170 but I don't see a problem with a 350 that runs at 170.

 

I understand your point, but the heater doesn't put out much heat in the winter. That's kind of counter intuitive - 170 degree water running thru the heater coil should be more than enough, but i've experienced other cars over the years that ran cold and didn't put out much heat. Maybe i'm missing somehting somewhere else. I've double checked all my cables and all are working properly. Not sure what the issue is. Ill try aiming an infrared thermometer right into the radiater neck onto the water. Thanks

 

Might be a plugged heater core,you can try to back flush it which may or may not work. How old are the heater hoses? Might be one collapsed inside?
What heat range thermostat are you using?