T-stat lower temp than 180, issues?

[EL SHO]

You guys know if there would be any issues if I were to install a lower temp T-stat than 180?

I know the stock t-stat is 195 temp, I installed a 180 temp one a while back and so far it has worked great.

This question came up because while doing the front 60k, my friend and his father (both are mechanics) checked the spark plugs and they saw that the spark plugs at the bottom were a little red, not in the electrode, but in the ceramic that surrounds it and could be a concern that the engine is running a little hot.
The car hasn't overheated in the past, only once it ran a bit hotter when the drive belt broke but it never reach the red area on the indicator. I also have an analog gauge and the top temp that I've seen is 190 and the dash indicator right in the middle.

Also, the whole intake manifold is really hot to the touch once the car is driven, this is a normal thing?

 

[rubydist]

that all sounds very normal to me.

I would not consider a thermostat that was less than 180*, even where you live.

 

[Off Road SHO]

I think you're getting confused as to what a thermostat does. It does not control how much heat is generated by your engine; timing, fuel mixture and load does that. The thermostat regulates the temperature of the coolant in the radiator and most parts of the engine by increasing or decreasing the amount of coolant that goes into the radiator on it way around the circuit.

Tom