i am changing my thermostat, so... since i live in nebraska with the colder winters
what is the lowest i can use and still be able to keep my windows defrosted

i dont know whether i should use the 160 or the 180
i definatley do not want the 195 degree again
they are the same price, any suggestions guys?

 

These engines (and most) are designed to run @ 195 degress.
180 is pushing it and 160 is completely out.

 

180 ifyou do mods to the engine but not 160. you will throw a code at 160. something like notcoming up to temp or something like that. 195 is stock and fine. but like i said, if you mod the engine you might want to go to 180

 

ok i think i am just gonna go with 195 thanks guys

or do they make 175 degree therms?

 

160, 180, 195 are your only choices. don't do 160. the 180 slightly reduces tendency to ping, but it sets off the check engine light on a few, but not all, people's truck. 195 provides a little hotter heat in the winter. some recommend drilling a 1/8 inch hole in the plate to let air escape to speed up the air purge process. i did it, don't know if it helped or not. i had the sloshing sound in the heater core for 3 or 4 days before it all worked itself out. i put in the 180, and the temp gauge is noticable cooler in summer with AC on and city traffic. abound 180-190 instead of 200-210. i figure that's a good thing.

 

thanks again

 

I ran a 180 in Illinois and when it was around 0 degree's F my heat wasnt the warmest, but it never threw a code.

 

The different thermostats make very little difference on 318/360s.
A 180 may make the MPG slightly worse, but it is almost too small to measure.
A 180 may make the pinging slightly better, but it is almost impossible to hear or see the difference.

In theory dropping from 195 to 180 is like giving the gasoline an octane rating 1-2 higher, but remember that your PCM computer will advance the timing when it senses lower coolant pressure.

There is more pinging reduction effect from going to 100% water with a anti-rust additive and a 20 psi Mercedes radiatior cap along with the factory 195 thermostat.

 

hank, why is that ?