Thermostat temp '77 280z

[kjphilippona]

I drove the Z to work Tuesday and it was freezing when i left home. I work around 40 miles from home and the temp gage never got over 1/3 of the way up with no hot air coming out of my vent. It climbed up a little higher when i got into town and stopped at a few lights. My thoughts was that it might be time to change my thermostat, when i checked into a new one there were different temp's available. What is the correct one for my 1977 280z ?

[sblake01]

According to the FSM, standard is 180, for cold areas-190, and for tropical areas-170. I always ran a 180 in my 78 280Z and in my 79 810.

[Jennys280Z]

Stant (NAPA) had two flavors that fit my '76, a 180 and a 195. I chose the 180 OE 'stat. When it's cold outside, my temp gauge stays just under the halfway point on the gauge while driving around.

Edited January 27, 2011 by Jennys280Z

[kjphilippona]

Thanks :classic:

[sblake01]

Stant (NAPA) had two flavors that fit my '76, a 180 and a 195. I chose the 180 OE 'stat.

I'm sure that Stant (NAPA) has several that will fit your 76 but the FSM calls for the same three I mentioned in the other post. Same for all 260/280Zs from 1974-1978.

[ZCurves]

According to the FSM, standard is 180, for cold areas-190, and for tropical areas-170. I always ran a 180 in my 78 280Z and in my 79 810.

I' am with Mr. Blake. It gets hot in 'Bama just as it does in Houston. I would not go any higher than 180.

You might want to check your Rad Cap and hoses while you are at it. The problem you describe might also be caused by the coolant system not being able to adequately pressurize.

[kjphilippona]

Thanks, the hoses look good and cap is new, but i do have a slight leak from some where :disappoin

[ZCurves]

Thanks, the hoses look good and cap is new, but i do have a slight leak from some where :disappoin

Was this coolant from when you opened the cap? With the cap off wash everything off and blow dry with compressed air. Look for any cracks in the neck on the top tank of the radiator.

You could also take the car to a shop that has a pressure tester and see what bubbles up.

This still might not be your problem, but it is starting to look that way.

Edited January 28, 2011 by ZCurves

[kjphilippona]

No, this is what accumulates after i drive the car round trip to work. i called around to find the nearest radiator shop that stays open long enough for me to make it into town before they close. i should find out something next week Tuesday. I took a picture of the temp gauge on my way home ( condition o/s temp 58 deg. @ 70 mph ) does this look normal ?

[Z train]

Another possiblity-in the morning,block off half your radiator and see how it re-acts.In my 620 if the temps are below 50, i have to block off half the radiator to get the temp up to 180(with a 180 stat.)ANd with temps in the 70's it'll stay at 180 or a hair above.ANd when i pull the cardboard out,it'll sit like a rock at 180.

[Walter Moore]

I have had radiators where the filler neck, or whatever you call it, was bent down or dented and the cap would not seal completely when the system reached full pressure.

I have seen people use the cardboard trick, but it always worried me that I might forget and end up overheating the car. Besides of the 20+ cars I have owned, I never had one that needed a SMALLER radiator, even when it was bone chillingly cold. If the thermostat is working the radiator size is irrelevant in cold weather.

[Z train]

If the thermostat is working the radiator size is irrelevant in cold weather.

Mine is working.