'84 Ram Van B350, let's go!
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From: Clayton MI
If you mean the fail-safe thermostats, every single one of those I've put in failed not long after. I've worked on several vehicles that never made any heat in the winter and those had failed fail-safe units too. I go with a regular old style thermostat. I drill a 1/64 hole in the plate and slap it in.
Grand Champion
Joined: May 2019
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From: S.W. Indiana
When I started working on cars, I was taught by guys who learned in the military in WW1 and WW2. One of my grandfathers friends had worked at a Plymouth dealer in the late 30's when Plymouth cars started overheating all of a sudden. New cars, not ones in service for a while. Plymouth had changed thermostat suppliers. The old ones leaked so much they didn't work as well as they could. The new ones worked too well, that's why they overheated. They would get an air bubble that wouldn't transfer heat to the coil. That's why I put a small hole in the plate to let air bubble through but water is too thick. I've noticed some thermostats have "jiggle" valves to let air bleed through. I don't drill those.
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When I started working on cars, I was taught by guys who learned in the military in WW1 and WW2. One of my grandfathers friends had worked at a Plymouth dealer in the late 30's when Plymouth cars started overheating all of a sudden. New cars, not ones in service for a while. Plymouth had changed thermostat suppliers. The old ones leaked so much they didn't work as well as they could. The new ones worked too well, that's why they overheated. They would get an air bubble that wouldn't transfer heat to the coil. That's why I put a small hole in the plate to let air bubble through but water is too thick. I've noticed some thermostats have "jiggle" valves to let air bleed through. I don't drill those.
1- Thermostat
2- Thermostat - Premium - Alternate Temp
3- Thermostat - Standard - Alternate Temp
4- Thermostat - Safe-T-Stat - Alternate Temp
5- Thermostat - Economy - OE Temp
6- Thermostat - Premium - OE Temp
7- Thermostat - Economy - Alternate Temp
... I could go on. Degrees listed are 160F, 180F, 192F, 195F, and even 205F "Higher than OEM Recommended Temp." Which one would be the best fit for the 5.9L?
Last edited by jumper.cables; Aug 12, 2019 at 09:47 AM. Reason: spelling
Grand Champion
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 5,146
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From: S.W. Indiana
Thanks. Well, I'm looking at NAPA's inventory of thermostats and they've got 18 to choose. They range from 5 to 17 bucks:
Thermostat
Thermostat - Premium - Alternate Temp
Thermostat - Standard - Alternate Temp
Thermostat - Safe-T-Stat - Alternate Temp
Thermostat - Economy - OE Temp
Thermostat - Premium - OE Temp
Thermostat - Economy - Alternate Temp
... I could go on. Degrees listed are 160F, 180F, 192F, 195F, and even 205F "Higher than OEM Recommended Temp." Which one would be the best fit for the 5.9L?
Thermostat
Thermostat - Premium - Alternate Temp
Thermostat - Standard - Alternate Temp
Thermostat - Safe-T-Stat - Alternate Temp
Thermostat - Economy - OE Temp
Thermostat - Premium - OE Temp
Thermostat - Economy - Alternate Temp
... I could go on. Degrees listed are 160F, 180F, 192F, 195F, and even 205F "Higher than OEM Recommended Temp." Which one would be the best fit for the 5.9L?
You want the 4th or 5th one. Considering how much damage a cheap failed part can do, I'd go with one that was a little more to protect the engine. The first gen magnums are pretty tough but there is still a lot of aluminum parts in there.
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You should be able to take the van on the street and see the temperature rise, then fall with the opening of the thermostat, and then rise again to about where the temperature was before the thermostat opened. When we park our van in the evening the heat from the driveline will turn the inside of the van into an oven.
Grand Champion
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 5,146
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From: S.W. Indiana
The first is an issue. The second is a Mayfly. Annoying but they don't live long. Maybe try a bee trap for the first one.