ok noob question but I want to replace my t stat having slight inconsistent overheating so I fixed the missing fan shroud and now going to replace the t stat. first what is the easy way to do that? second I picked up a 180 t stat and I have no tune and live in ohio with every weather condition out there. will this cause any problems in the winter or any problems with out a tune?

thanks

 

I'd stick with a 195. There is no real advantage to the 180 anyway. And go to the FAQ section and download the service manual. One thing not in the manual, cut the tab off the t-stat housing to make replacing easier next time.

 

If you get a tune they will recommend a 180 to reduce the rick of spark knock. aside from a 15 degree difference you shouldn't get too big of a difference.

 

let us know if a new t-stat fixes it or not, we will help ya.

 

Running a colder thermostat is not going to fix the issue. You've already replaced the shroud. You should look into flushing the block and adding a fresh mix of coolant. Inspect and replace the fan clutch if needed. Replacing parts in a haphazard fashion is no way to diagnose a problem.

 

^^^^ +1 on that idea. You will drive yourself nuts just replacing part after part and still not fixing the problem

 

i disagree with the above. Replaceing the t-stat is easy and cheap and cant hurt! plus I love having my truck run at 180 instead of near 200. now if this doesnt fix your overheating problem so what! you will benefit from your new stat anyway since it is so easy and quick to change.

now this doesnt apply to all problems obviously. You want to diagnose instead of just throwing new parts. BUt just like with a ruff starting or running engine it doesnt hurt to change plugs wires cap and rotor even if your not sure what the problem is!

 

How is running a colder thermostat going to make the truck run cooler? That's bad logic. These trucks were designed and the computers programmed to run at 195' and stating that a cooler thermostat will cure running hot is incorrect. A cooler thermostat opens sooner than stock and does nothing more.

 

Give that man a cookie!!!


If there is an issue with the truck and it can't maintain running at 195*, then how in the hell would you expect it to be able to maintain 180*?

FIND AND FIX THE ISSUE.


Then, if you wanna run a 180* T-Stat to richen the mix, keep engine temps cooler or simply because you like the look of the temp needle in a different place for a change, put one in.

I run a 180* in my Hemi, but not for any cooling concerns. My A/F was lean after a combination of LT headers, CAI and a tune that advanced the timing a good bit, so the cooler thermostat was the cheapest, easiest band aid to richen it back up a tad and bring it almost back to stock spec.

 

are you serious? truck engine gets to temp.... 180 tstat opens letting coolant flow hence keeping truck around 180... run a 160 stat and the same result will happen as with a 195 degree stat... cooller tstat cooler engine.

my truck ran at 200 degrees. put in the 180 and now it runs at 180... and these trucke were not "designed" to run at 195. the were desigined to run at temp between 180-220. thats normal operating temp. too hot or too cold and you have problems.


Assuming of course that there are no underlying issues with the cooling system itself. And yes the T-stat opens sooner but it also stays open unless temop goes below but my truck NEVER goes above 180 operating temp

and if his stat is not working properly ie not opening up all the way then changing it might just get that truck temp down. all i'm saying is its cheap and easy change it anyway