I have a Villain IV with twin 454’s. The stock thermostat is 140 degrees. No one in town has one, but the auto parts store has a 160 degree that will fit.

Can I use the automotive 160 degree thermostat in place of the marine 140?

Any issues running 20 degrees hotter?

Thanks,
Dustin Winkle

I would get the 140.

I'd only do it until I get another 140. Drill three or four 1/8 inch holes in the 160.

Thanks for the help. I found some 142 degree tstats locally.

I've been running 160s (marine ones if there's a difference) for several years. Almost stock 454s. Engine builder said to. It was not explained to me why one way or the other, just told to run the 160s. Would there be a reason not to?

The hotter you can run an engine the more efficient it will run. we run marine engines cool mostly because we don't want all that heat in the engine compartment.

or the salt to crystalize in the engine passages

Bingo! The sole reason that they come set up to run that cold. If you're in fresh water change them out, the engine is better off up in the 160 - 180 range.

I'm good then, Lake Erie usually isn't very salty

Thats because we dont have whales peeing in it.......