Best Temp Thermostat for a BBC?

[GREGS396]

I just had the 396 for my 68 Impala rebuilt, completely stock except for a mild cam. I fired it up for the first time today, and was going through the break-in procedure. After 10 minutes, it started to run hot and I had a few leaks from the upper and lower hoses. I was just thinking that I hadn't tightened them up enough, but a friend of mine was quick to point out that he thought I was running the wrong temperature thermostat. The car has A/C, and the listing called for a 195. I went with that temp, and he's saying he had similar issues, and had used a 160 degree. The capacity of the cooling system is 23 qts, and I had 20 in it prior to startup. I even bled out the air by removing the heater hose from the intake. I'm not sure if the engine still devleoped an air pocket, or if I'm indeed running the wrong temperature Thermostat?
Any input is welcome.

 

[muscl car]

I've had very good luck with Mr Gasket High flow thermostats

 

[Zspoiler]

I have had good luck with Stant thermostat since 1979,Through a variety of cars.

 

[G72Zed]

Be it SBC/BBC, I like to see at least 170* to 180 running temps. I always test the thermostats to make sure they open at the right time, a few 1/8 holes on the edge helps "burb" the system.

 

[COPO]

Always use a 180* stat. Factory stats were 195* so they could pass emissions. Anything cooler than a 180* running engine isn’t good for it.

 

[G72Zed]

Always use a 180* stat. Factory stats were 195* so they could pass emissions. Anything cooler than a 180* running engine isn’t good for it.

Very good point ^^ , Easy to find the 160 and 180* for SBC, need a little more digging for the less common 170*.

FWIW My best passes were with thin HOT oil and iced down intake/carb with ice in the cool can and pushed the car to the line, start up in the box was 110* or less!! just a 1/2" inlet restriction.