My /6 is a gas pig when it's cold outside. Why?

67Dart273 said

In addition to the good comments above, you have to understand that the years from about 73 onwards ARE THE WORST YEARS for runnability / drivability if the rig still has the original "smog" distributor, carburetor and "other stuff." These cars were typically so cold blooded it was unbelieveable.

1....You do NOT want a stat "as cold as" 180. You want AT LEAST a 180, and these cars came from the factory with a 190-195

Click to expand...

Yes, 73 and 74 were the worst years for sure. The 195 t'stat was used to elevate engine and heads temps and keep fuel in suspension better and help combustion in general and thus help with HC and CO emissions, but it made the engines more prone to pinging/detonation, especially with leaner carb settings for the emissions, and helped cause dieseling on shut down and harder starting at times. I would actually prefer to use a 180 t'stat for these reasons.