I Fiiiiiiiiiiinaly got my truck to run correctly after swapping a 318 into my 2000 Dakota 4x4. I had some problems with that transmission not shifting, so after replacing the Governor Pressure Solenoid/Park-Neutral Switch/Speed Sensor/Throttle Position Sensor, with no luck. (about 300$ for all), I was more frusterated than you could ever imagine.

Before breaking out the Credit Card to take it to a shop, I decided to do a last once-over...

After everything else checked out, the last thing I did was pull the tranny solenoid plug off and get a mirror to look at the sensor,(The one on top of the Tranny) and there it was. A bent ****ING pin in the clip. Just one...

So I got out the smallest needlenose and screwdriver I had and pulled it back up (not an easy task, sooooo glad I had a body lift), plugged it back in and there it was, now it runs perfectly.

WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

*clears throat* Anywho, now thats out of my system, I had a question about my clutch fan/cooling system.

I have a 160 Thermostat from summit, with my clutch fan not on the truck. Its great for short distances and when doing over 30mph, it stays at about 170-180. But at idle and when city driving, it climbs up to almost 210 on a sunny day.

I would like to not put the fan back on if i have to, but i also dont want the truck running that hot. Any Ideas on why it would heat up like that? Is my therm staying open too long and not letting the coolant get a chance to cool down?

Thanks... and WHOOOOOOO!

 

Awesome dude. Like having torque now?

 

It's amazing, especially because I have the 33in M/T's and the v6 was just a DOG! Its a Million times better!

 

when a thermostat is open, the coolant circulates, stuck open prevents it from heating up. stuck closed means the coolant only circulate through the block, causing an overheat situation. get rid of that 160 t stat and throw a 180 in. you can always get a high flow electric cooling fan.

 

yeah i would just go grab an e-fan off a R/T. mine has NEVER even gotten over 1/2 way.

 

I do have an E-fan in my truck but it only kicks on at about 210 degrees, until it falls under that temp and then it shuts off again.

So you think a 180 t stat would be better than my 160 for overheating?

 

why not put a switch on that fan then you can have it on whenever you want.

 

the 180 tstat i beleive will help with both power and efficiency.. 160 is going to kill your efficiency. gonna keep the truck in open loop mode, dumping fuel. plus a colder running engine wears quicker... so ive read, wouldnt deny it though.

 

RT - I would like to do that as a last resort. I much rather would have it just stay cool on its own. But if it won't, thats what I will end up doing.

Fox - I will order the 180 T stat and put that in and see how she does.

Thanks

 

a 160 tstat is generally overkill. fox is right about keeping the engine too cold. you're just going to be running in open loop and burning all your fuel. i would go with the 180 and see what happens. if that doesnt help anything.... i would consider just putting a switch on your efan. its an easy solution to the problem even if its not what you want to do.