I've been noticing that my car has been sucking up the gas since I got her on the road. A fellow '82 owner at work reports he is getting around 20-22 mpg on the highway. So far I'm only seeing it by how many times I have to fill up. On another post I read that the car should be running around 200 degrees, mine stays at about 175. The question I have, does this mean that my car is in perpetual warm-up mode and dumping more gas to heat up? This would explain the bad fuel economy. Second question is, does this mean that the thermostat is bad?

Yes, your car is in closed loop all the time, some one might have put in a cold thermostat thinking the old wives tale of running it colder will make more power.... In the computer controlled 82, big mistake...

The computer needs to see 195 to go into open loop and run normal. I would swap out the thermostat to the original one and see how it runs...

Of course I could have the open loop and closed loop completely back-wards, (never could remember which was first) but it still has the same problem...

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Arizona Corvette Enthusiasts
Gone, but not forgotten

Thanks Desertdawg,
I will pick up a new one this week and see how she runs. The other possibilty someone suggested was the aux cooling sensor on the drivers side of the engine. My understanding is this sensor dictates when the aux cooling fan runs. Possible the fan running to soon and keeping the temp down.

Put in a new thermostat tonight and noticed the one in the car was a 180 degree unit. I took her around the neighborhood and she ran at about 200 degrees for the first time. Now I can see if this helps the gas usage.

I bet your problem is solved now, or at least it should be better.
Keep us posted on your outcome...

had her out last night and she ran great. Cleaned her up and polished her also. Finally got pictures so I will post asap.

WooHoo!!!!!

Now get those pictures posted so we can see her all shined up.