i recently just bought a 97 dodge dakota v8 and i recently changed my thermo switch from a 160 to a 190. One of the bolts seems to keep vibrating loss and i loose anti-freeze and i dont get much heat, is this a common thing. i just put loc-tite on the nut and tighten it down, hopefully that will fix it. Also it seems like it takes a little to start my truck, the starter sounds strong but when it does start up its a low RPM and then it revs up to its normal idling RPM posisitioning. Do you think this means i need new plugs wires and or distrubutor?

 

Are you asking about the T-Stat or the switch on the heater control head ?

 

i dont know its proper name, its on the top of the motor where the rad fluid goes through.

 

It's the housing your talking about?. Your saying one of the two bolts is coming loose??
If it comes loose again; Use a thread-chaser or, clean the hole out
real well 1st. Maybe a air-gun to help blow out the happy-crap in
the hole THEN, Loc-Tite it.

 

loc tited it and so far so good.. any ideas on my start up problem?

 

how do you know when you need new plus and or wires?

 

moe in wichita ks
the BEST sealant is permatex #2. gas doesnt effect it. antifreeze doesnt effect it. rtv is like a lubracant and lets gaskets slide. but permtex is tacky and holds gaskets in place. on therostats only put a small amount in grove for the stat, on both sides of the stat only . dont put any on face of the gasket. this way there isno sealer on the housingyou setting the stat housing on. this way when you take it apart next time you have sealer only onone part.