Correct NAA thermostat

[KrisNMo]

I asked this on another site and never did get an answer. Hoping somebody here can clarify and recommend which thermostat I should use. My NAA does not have a thermostat and never reaches operating temperature at least it never registers on the temperature gauge and I know that the gauge works. Looking on different online store sites...most online store sites only list one thermostat for my model tractor NAA which is 160 degrees until I looked at Dennis Carpenter which list 168, 172 and 188 for the years 1953-64. Can anybody clarify why they list three for these years and which one I should be using.
 

[old]

The C-T tractor parts catalog I have only list one thermostat for the NAA/600/601/800/801 etc and that is a 180. Most of the time that is pretty much the one I use in tractors. Hot enough to get rid of condensation but yet cool enough so to well in the hot summer. Ya a few that I only use in the summer I run a 160 in but t5hat is because they sit all winter with out running
 

[Bern]

NH lists the same 3 temp options on their website. I would install the hottest t-stat available. That is the best for engine life and fuel economy. In the summer, the engine will not run any cooler with a colder thermostat IF the engine is working hard and the cooling system is marginal.

In other words, if the engine is running at 200 degrees, replacing the 188 t-stat with a 168 will make no difference.
 

[Big 86]

The 160° thermostat was from back in the days before modern anti-freeze, and the alcohol used in the winter boiled at a lower temp. I recently replaced the 160° in my Ford 640 with a 180° T-stat. I bought mine from Napa and had to make my own gasket from a universal gasket kit. Cost was a little over $7 for both. I can't remember the part number for sure, but can look tomorrow and post back.

As already noted, the 160° did not get the condensation out of the engine in the winter. Still have to block the radiator to keep the engine temp up, usually block the entire radiator if the temp is under 30°F. When I first got my tractor, it never got to operating temp because there was no T-stat.
 

[KrisNMo]

Good deal. Thanks Guys! I just placed an order for some parts including the 188 degree thermostat including the gasket. Should a lot of warm air this year with heater cab on.
 

[Gaspump]

The original spec fot the NAA thermostat was, start to open 157-162 degrees, fully open at 177-182 degrees. In 1953 modern permanent anti-freeze was the norm. In early N days alcohol was about the only anti-freeze you could get as the WWII effort consumed the permanent anti-freeze as it did many other everyday items. In the 8N days two thermos were listed, 160 was for gassers and the 180 for distillate burners. similar in the NAA&B days.
 

[old]

As per O'Reilly's at hat is a Murry 3356 thermostat and you can buy it at your local O'Reilly's. I called them at 5 till 9 last night and asked
 

[Teakettle]

Which raises the question of why so many Jubilees (mine included,
when I bought it) seem to have had the thermostats removed at
some point along the way. They never get up to good operating
temperature without one...
 

[old]

Probably because back then farmers did not know about cleaning the radiators so when a tractor would start over heating they would remove the thermostat so it would run cool instead of fixing what the real problem was. Of course this is just a educated guess
 

[KrisNMo]

[old]

Seen many thermostats removed due to the radiator being very dirty from dirt and stuff and that was not only on tractors but cars and trucks