A low-temperature thermostat will not prevent overheating so much as delay just a little bit. It will also cause poor fuel economy and with most electronically controlled FI systems, it will cause fuel control errors.
If the engine is overheating with a properly functioning 190 degree thermostat, a 180 degree thermostat shouldn't make that much of a difference. Make sure the existing thermostat is working properly, make sure the radiator isn't blocked or partially blocked, and that the cooling fan and water pump are working. A computerized car needs to have the thermo specs call for.
Changing the engine temp can alter the comp readings which can cause bad running, high fuel usage and costly repairs later on down the road.
Thermostat will open sooner car may not necessarily run cooler
It may run cooler, but this depends on if your radiator fan has a thermostat controlled temperature gauge or if your fan is mechanical. A mechanical fan has a fan belt attached and runs when the engine runs.
No, should be 190
I noticed that www.motorcraft.com lists 3 different thermostats for the 1976 F-150 with 360 V8 ( a 160 degree / 180 degree / and 190 degree . I'm guessing that you installed the 160 ? and maybe had the 180 or 190 before That would make your guage read cooler
The manufacture requires a 180 degree thermostat. If your fan clutch is operating normally and the radiator has good flow it will probably be around 190 to 205. It may run a little cooler when the car is moving.
Check your heater core. ANSWER I'm not a mechanic but isn't the thermostat supposed to be a 190 F unit. With a 160 F the engine would run cooler , read cooler on the guage, and the heat from your heater wouldn't get as warm as it should ( just like what happens when a 190 degree F. thermostat sticks open )
A 180 degree will work just fine. You could go as high as 190 if you live in a cold climate and drive relatively short trips. In that case the 190 would help you warm up a little quicker but for most applications 180 is probably best.
190 degree
190% of 180= 190% * 180= 1.9 * 180= 342
Looks like 190 from the factory. See link for discussion on optional 160 degree thermostat.
temp should be 190 for a 4.0 ....AlsoIt depends on the thermostat that you have installed. If it's a 180 degree thermostat, the engine should run at right around 180 degrees. Recognize that stock engine temp gauges are notoriously inaccurate so don't blame the thermostat if everything else seems ok but the gauge says the temp is off.
An obtuse angle. There cannot be an angle with more than 180 degrees so it starts to count backwards when it hits 180. So instead of having a 190 degree angle, you have a 170 degree angle.