Engine Temp Cycling?

Anyone have an idea why my engine temperature would cycle between 180 and 195 degrees? I'm running a 195 Mr. Gasket thermostat that I just changed out on my '87 small block TPI. The engine warms up to about 180 then creeps up to about 195 at which point it seems like the thermostat opens up and the temp shoots down to 180.... then creeps back up to 195 or so. Lather, rinse, repeat! :confused: Griffin aluminum radiator, new performance water pump... I guess it could be just a bad thermostat? I know, probably should have tested it before I put it in...:HMMM:

not a bad thermostat, but it is a little off. 195* stat should cycle between 195* and 212* in the same manor, it's cycling between 180* and 195* at idle.

That's more or less normal operation. What is odd is that your gauge can read that small a change, most aren't calibrated that finely.

Thanks guys... 180 happens to be a mark on the gauge anyway and it peaks half way between there and 220 so I figure that's about 195. Truth be told, I had a friends scanner hooked up and it read 195 when my gauge says 180.

Sounds like it's ok then from what you are telling me... I've just never seen that before.:3dSMILE:

sounds like you've got a nicely functioning cooling system.... i'm used to idleing and watching the tempature start creeping and i'm begging for the light to change green :LOL: