Thanks for continuing to add input....Nice to know I'm not alone as I bang my head against the wall.

So, continuing to flush this morning. I put the larger radiator hose on this morning. I removed the t-stat to expedite the flushing process, and now the water is flying through the radiator. I'm wondering if my brand new t-stat was bad out of the box. I also noticed it has 195 stamped on it. Could have sworn that I had bought a 190. In any case, with the t-stat out, the engine stays cool idling for 10 to 15 minutes between flushes. I had read on another forum, that sometimes the t-stat can go bad and during idle the temp doesn't open it enough, but during load, the water pressure from the pump will force it open. That would explain what I've been seeing somewhat, although I did try to see if it cooled down in idle with the RPM raised to 2000 and it didn't.

Good idea on the camera. I do have one. I'll see if I can snake it in there.

Incidentally, I'm on my 3rd flush and it's still pretty brownish. I found a good video and am following it's procedure. My water looks exactly like his at the beginning, maybe a little lighter like the 1st cup in the picture.

 

difference between 190 and 195 t stat is too minimal to mean anything, that doesn't mean yours couldn't have been defective....
never actually heard of a "190" usually they are called a "192" or "195".... but again, splitting hairs there....the hottest t stat I have ever seen was a "207" I forget what kind of vehicle that was for, as I remember it was for some sideways engine, wrong wheel drive POS....

 

I am cautiously optimistic that this one is solved. In the end, it was a combination of factors, but the main one was evidently a bad T-Stat....Chinese junk.

I haven't put the 160 deg stat back in yet, as it took 8 flushes to clear out my cooling passages. But on the last flush, I took it for a healthy 30 minute ride, and purposely stopped at several areas and let it idle for 10 minutes, and the gauge never approached 1/2 way. Brought it home and let it idle another 10 minutes in this 100 degree heat in the sun, and again, just a click below 1/2 way. And that's with just water, no Antifreeze. I'm thinking I probably didn't need the larger radiator or the extra fan in the end, but good insurance for $150 total. At least one fan should always work, and the the trans cooler in the radiator, doesn't hurt to have the larger one.

Thanks to everyone for tuning in, especially 93 Ragtop with all his great information and pictures....Hopefully this thread will help someone in the future whether cooling issues or what's needed for a swap.

 

For those interested, here's the progression of flushes.

 

Hey Robert, here is a link You may find interesting. http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/...r-pump.385677/

 

That's cool....3/4" wouldn't have saved me from a front end swap, but it might be enough to squeeze a clutch fan in.

 

Thanks Robermee. I have a similar issue with the greatest Ram Dodge never built that I own. I think the Super Flush my be the next step.

 

I think what you need to do, is flush the cooling system REALLY well, then, replace the radiator.

 

I did flush it....no need to change radiator...it's new and didn't see enough time to be plugged.