Thermostat recommendations for the universal 5432 ?

[our38]

I've been told that my engine should be running much hotter than it currently is (140 - 150) when hot. What I've been reading suggests the factory originally installed a 160 degree thermostat, but what I've been told is that it should really run between 175 - 190.

Since I'm a novice, I thought it best to seek out the opinion of you more experienced folks with the same engine.

 

[Shelman]

My Westerbeke runs at 180, but I have read that if you have your engine running salt water through the engine block instead of a coolant through a heat exchanger than you have to reduce the thermostat to prevent salt crystallization in the coolant passages.
If you are running coolant through an exchanger you really do want your engine to be coming up to the manufactures recomended temperature.

 

[our38]

Heat exchanger

I have a newer, larger Heat Exchanger than the one originally installed, which I expect also makes a difference?

John