Do many people feel the need to swap to a different thermostat between Summer & Winter.

I have an 82 degree thermostat fitted which is fine in summer, sits mostly at normal/75 deg, but now in winter, say when cruising along at 80-100kph, it drops below normal, may be as low as 65-70deg.

Too cool?

Normal suburban driving it sits back at normal.

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68 Morris Cooper S Mk1 (*ex 78 1275 LS 4th last built, 70 Morris 1500 OHC & 70 MiniMatic)

I just use an 82C all year round now. No problems. I used to run a 74C, but my tootsies froze in winter.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Yeah the 82 is fine for me too, even on a really hot summer day, stuck in traffic, at worst it gets up to the beginning of the "red" zone (95-100??) but its never boiled on me.

I am just worried that if its getting as low as 64 is that too cool??

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68 Morris Cooper S Mk1 (*ex 78 1275 LS 4th last built, 70 Morris 1500 OHC & 70 MiniMatic)

Check your temp gauge before jumping to conclusions.. I use a jaycar digital multimeter with a temp probe on it.
Do you have an aux radiator (heater core etc) connected to the head? If so, disconnect it in winter (or fit a valve) if worried about it.
Mine runs a bit cooler (70-75C) at speed in winter (I have the Minimatic freshair heater), the only running difference I note in winter is more power from the nice cool air.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Stick a bit of cardboard in front of the oil cooler and see if the temperature rises a little. (if it does then think about removing the oil cooler for winter)

I took my oil cooler off years ago, it'll only go back on for track days, if ever.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Thanks Doc,

No aux rad. although the Radiator it looks standard I suspect it's better than standard. How do you tell by the way??

And yes I compared the gauge with readings from a digital probe reader pressed against the head.

The normal mark is spot on 75. I have one of wombats excellent electronic voltage regulators so its also pretty consistent.

And thanks M1100, I'll try that trick with the cardboard because I have been wondering about the cooler. Although I was always under the impression a oil cooler was more to protect the oil from damage rather than having a significant effect on the overall cooling of the engine ....although I suppose it must contribute.

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68 Morris Cooper S Mk1 (*ex 78 1275 LS 4th last built, 70 Morris 1500 OHC & 70 MiniMatic)

I swap between a 82°C and a 92°C (summer vs winter).

It could help if you block the grill up a bit. Get a piece of sheet metal and cut it to shape if you still run into problems.

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"In two years time your car will be like a lady's clothes, out of date, my car will still be in fashion when I am dead" - Sir Alec speaking to Pininfarina

A piece of the clear plastic they use for packaging window fronted boxes (like for kids toys) makes a neat oil cooler blank. It doesn't dissolve, and looks a little smarter.

Blank your oil cooler off, and its presence almost becomes moot. You don't feel the need to take it away if you like the original look.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

I run a 71deg one during summer. Up in QLD things can get HOT with the driving I do..

I've noticed lately, (we've had a pretty cold winter here so far) that I might have to change it for the winter.. even when I'm driving hard, the temp gauge only just registers,

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Bluey-1973 Clubby - 1330, high lift, big cam, 7 port madness in progress..

Gumby-1978 Minivan, British Racing Green - 1310, high lift, mild cam, enlarged porting and chamber shape with big valve head, supercharged build in ever slow progress!