How hot should engine be allowed to get? Electric Fan Install

I have just installed a two speed electric fan in my 73 Maverick 5.0 and need to install a temperature switch to control it. I have a 195 degree thermostat in car. From what I read most people are running a BMW switch which activates low at 195 and high at 210. Would this be a appropriate temperature setting for this engine or would I want something with a higher temp setting? Other ideas are welcome too (do not want a manual switch).

 

I would just use a single thermostatically controlled switch for both fans to come on when needed. Only time that will typically happen is while sitting still anyways. I set mine to come on at around 210 or so but I run a 160 t-stat in summer months. With that much range between t-stat opening and fan on, I can sit at most lights without ever tripping the fans relay to cool things down.

Personally, I don't like 195's much at all in a hotter climate because it's completely unnecessary for anything other than emissions purposes and only ever use them in winter months to keep warm. Otherwise 180 is more than enough heat in the summer months and allows a more aggressive tune while also adding an extra buffer for those extra hot days.

 

I have a 186 T-stat and fan to come on at 193...
I tried a 160 T-stat and didn't think the water stayed in the radiator long enough to cool it...JMO

 

really? where did it go?

 

back into the motor to be reheated. it was almost like not having a T-stat at all.

 

Or maybe the water didn't stay in the engine long enough to absorb the heat.

 

I'd run a 180° T-stat and set the fan to come on at 205° and shut off around 190° to 192°.

 

a 302 usually (in the old days) used a 180 tstat. i ran a 160 in my old f100 for a while and it was fine. i wouldnt go lower or higher than that range.

 

You have to be careful with this on the EFI motors. The computer will stay in a rich start mode below 180.

The other day, I was contemplating these settings myself. I'm trying to figure out what is best. I have the Taurus fan and a Dakota Digital fan controller. I have the low speed come on at 190 and the high speed come on at 205. If AC is on, the high fan is on at any temperature. If the fan is running at engine off, it goes into a cool down mode for two minutes.

Micah

 

But you really don't need a fan to come on at only 190°. The stock thermostat for my '73 was 195°, so it really wasn't ever meant to run below that. I run a 180° now, but it still runs between 190° and 200° depending on the ambient air temperature and the RPM I'm cruising at.

 

I read where the fan should come on 10 degrees above the T-stat. this is to give the T-stat a chance to reg. the temp. mine is T-stat 186, fan on at 193. I can drive 45 mins. to Summit and the fan will not come on untill I exit the interstate and catch the first light.

 

Stock thermostat in a Maverick were 160, 180 and 190 for both 6 cyl and V8

 

kinda like Fords torque settings...160-190...LOL

 

(1)I've run a 160 T and a 185 on electric fan thermostat EFT. (2)A 180 T and a 185 on EFT. (3)A 195 T with a 200 on EFT. (4)Also a 180T and a 200 on EFT.

It was my experience the #1 combination worked fine. The engine stayed cool and the fan came on when needed however, minimum heat in cold weather. If heat is not an issue, this combo is great. The #2 combination did not work, the fan ran most of the time. The #3 combination also worked however, the fan came on a little more than with the @1 combination and under hood temperature with a carbureted engine was a little high for my liking. The #4 combination worked best for me with the fan coming on as needed, lower under hood temperature and heat in cool weather.

 

If you lived were you didn't need a heater such as Miami or Hawaii I guess you didn't need 190. If you lived in Minnesota or Wisconsin I'm sure you wanted more than 160.

chevy had torque setting spans also the 350 iron heads torque spec is 60-70 ft. lbs.
Ford Coyote torque setting are also one number like the ls. http://www.latemodelrestoration.com/products/mustang-50-coyote-motor-torque-specs