too cool temps in the winter

[Mike Del Tergo]

By not allowing what little heat was generated to be excessively cooled off 
by onrushing cold air.  It is sold enough in the northeast that I can leave 
my avant idling for an hour and the fan will not come on nor will heat 
indicated get past 1/4 mark.  In extreme if colant does not get warm enough 
to open the tstat, it doesn't matter how well it might work, you're gona be 
cold!  Blocking the heat exchanger will help get temps up!

Subject: Re: too cool temps in the winter

I just replaced my thermostat due to cool running temps, and terrible gas
mileage.  Unfortunately, the gas mileage does not seem to have responded,
like the running temp has.
However, If the T-stat is functioning,  doesn't it regulate temp by blocking
coolant flow to the radiator?  So, how exactly  would blocking air flow to
the radiator help?

Nat