'95 RM Thermostat

My '95 runs with the temp gage only two marks up from minimum. Therefore, the heater doesn't work well at all when outside temps are low.

The factory fit these LT1's with 180 degree stats. Would you use 180 degree or switch to 195 like nearly all cars use now?

LT1s are reverse cooling. Stick with the 180. The gauge doesn't really represent an actual temp, plug in a scanner to check your operating temp.

Have you flushed out your heater core. That is a very common problem.

Tom C.

Read the OP.  I said the temp gage is only two marks from minimum.  It used to run in the middle of the gage travel.  Obviously, the engine is running cooler than it once did.  This has nothing to do with a plugged heater core.

jayoldschool answered my question--use a 180 stat.  

Thank you.

BTW, those plastic radiator drain cocks are a PITA. Mine wouldn't seal until I opened and closed it about 100 times. There must have been a piece of dirt on the "O" ring.

Don't use the drain. Take off the lower hose.

I don't know how the original owners tolerated the 180 degree stats.  The heater DOES NOT blow hot air when temps are below about 10 degrees F.  I changed to a 195 stat and all is well.  

Did the other LT1 cars use 180 stats?  

FYI, the heater core is not plugged.

My 96 Roady came with a 180 degree stat. I believe all the LT1s came with that temp stat.MY car runs about 2 notches up on the gauge ,and it gives ample and sufficient heat on the coldest days.
Not sure if you are aware,but the LT1 uses a specific stat and not the ones that are made for the standard small block from Chevy. ed

All LT1 cars use the 180 stat. Your car is running too hot if you used a 195. Did you actually find a correct LT1 195, or are you using a regular (wrong) small block 195?

I use a 180, and I get LOTS of heat. Even at -25F!. Google the weather forecast for Jan 1st for Ottawa ;-)

Flush your heater core, put in the correct thermostat. Also, bleed the system correctly. Air in the core won't allow heat.

jayoldschool wrote:

Flush your heater core, put in the correct thermostat.  Also, bleed the system correctly.  Air in the core won't allow heat.

I suggested that to him:

silverfox103 wrote:

Have you flushed out your heater core.  That is a very common problem.

Tom C.

And his answer:  

bocoogto wrote:

Read the OP.  Obviously, the engine is running cooler than it once did.  This has nothing to do with a plugged heater core.

Not sure why he is asking questions, if he knows the answer?  

Tom

bocoogto wrote:

Read the OP. I said the temp gage is only two marks from minimum. It used to run in the middle of the gage travel. Obviously, the engine is running cooler than it once did. This has nothing to do with a plugged heater core.

He did, and he answered your question. I used my 94 RMS through several winters from central Quebec to the Canadian Prairies. It's seen -40 regularly and -52C once. The stock 180 T-stat will provide ample heat if your heater core isn't blocked. Jay is correct, you have the incorrect T-stat in it now. Might not be an issue in the winter but I wouldn't want to have a 195deg T-stat in the south in a traffic jam, not to mention that you might have a standard, non-reverse flow, t-stat in there.

Since it was not mentioned I thought I might bring this up. After a summer of using only the a/c on my Roady, I used to have to run the temp to full hot, then back to full cold, them back to full hot again, to get the hottest air. I think the blend door was either sticky of gets out of calibration of you do not use it often.

Just a thought!

-Mike

In older dinosaur big block stuff,. i regularly used to use 195 stats to control overheating issues,.

The old gold run of the mill rusty roady, was an original tow pack car,.i removed the airplane propellor, added a 195 stat, and ran with just the one fan for a few years,.always had it on a/c or defrost so the fan was on most of the time,. it never boiled over, but the gauge would come up some idling in traffic,. so we got into the habit of slipping it into neutral all the time,.LT1's are pretty good about handling heat,.

Nick

Installed the 195 thermostat. Temperature gage runs at the fourth mark off minimum--the same as it ran before the shop installed a 180 degree stat when replacing the water pump.

Heat now works fine!

Was it a correct LT1-specific 195 stat? Make/part number for us for future reference, please?