There are a lot of factors here...is it a smogger?? is it a performance built motor??
I believe too much heat is the enemy. Too much heat can blow a head gasket and/or crack a head or block. It also kills the ring seal to the cylinders.
Many of the smog era motors ran in the 200-220 range for smog purposes only (extra heat will burn more of the unburned fuel), but a racing engine likes a cooler temp and makes more power.
On my race car, once the temp reaches 200, I shut it off and keep the electric water pump and fan going to cool it down!!...its gone the fastest when the water temp was 135-140.
I believe too much heat is the enemy. Too much heat can blow a head gasket and/or crack a head or block. It also kills the ring seal to the cylinders.
Many of the smog era motors ran in the 200-220 range for smog purposes only (extra heat will burn more of the unburned fuel), but a racing engine likes a cooler temp and makes more power.
On my race car, once the temp reaches 200, I shut it off and keep the electric water pump and fan going to cool it down!!...its gone the fastest when the water temp was 135-140.