Has anyone done the install of the 180 degree thermostat themselves? I'm thinking of doing it, but from what the service manual says it looks like I have to drain the coolant system just to take it out, I've never done this before so I have no idea what to expect. Is this a doable thing? or should I have my mechanic do it? It doesn't look like its too hard. Let me know what you guys think. (sorry if this is already up here somewhere)

 

The radiator should have a little valve at the bottom...you don't need to drain the entire system, just get the lever below the thermostat housing. Once that is done remove the housing and the old thermostat. Make sure you get one of the failsafe thermostats so that incase it fails it sticks in the open position instead of the closed position. Clean the old gasket material from both surfaces put the new thermostat in, RIGHT SIDE UP, put your new gasket on torque to spec. Fill system with coolant. Run truck and check for leaks.

It is very easy to do..Just take your time and remember lefty loosey, righty tighty

 

sounds easy enough, thanks for the info.

Any specific thermostat you would recommend? Or is a thermostat a thermostat?

 

i put the napa 180 stat in part number is 530080.same stat for the 318-360 motor. just remeber to cut a small notch out of the new stat to match up with the factory stat.

 

what do u mean cut out a notch? how come the napa part doesn't meet up exactly? anyway, is it a notch u need a dremel tool for? or something to that effect? i'm sure once I have all the parts in my hand i'll be able to figure it out...i hope!

 

There have been several threads about changing the thermostat. One thing that is missing in the directions above is that our's is on the bottom radiator hose connection. It's more difficult to get to and you have to drain most of the coolant to get it down to that level.
JET has a thermostat that already has the notch but instead of $3.00 it's about $35.00.

 

I believe the napa part is a universal that just happens to be the same as ours minus the notch...

 

the one on the left is the factory 195 with the cut out. the one on the right is the napa stat. you need to use a dremel tool to make the small notch. and it is a 3.00 part. instead of the 35.00 part. you need to reuse the gasket from the stock stat. just remove it and place it on the aftermarket and reinstall. no need for silicone sealer or nothing

[IMG]local://upfiles/31284/A36A9036ED74493981D5346A31875E0B.jpg[/IMG]

 

Just adding a DIY link for future viewers

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/3rd-gen...stall-diy.html