Please let me clarify a couple of things!
If you like your viscous heater, keep it!
I only offer a alternative product for those who would
like to delete their viscous heater for any of the varied *reasons such as:
1. Viscous Heater electromatic clutch bearing bad and making noises
2. Body of unit or seal bad leaking antifreeze
3. Some just simply don't need or don't want the part on their engine just like the EGR parts.
COST wrote:
*Regardless of price, which was approaching $500.00 for a new unit, a NEW viscous heater is NO longer available in the US market by any of the major Mopar dealers, IDParts, or Sasquatch Parts, or any of the various online retailers.
All searches provide the same or similar statement:> This Product Is No Longer Available OR OUT OF STOCK
Actually, one of my northern customers is looking into collecting failed viscous heater cores and rebuilding them to make available for our northern owners who would like to keep their VH in service. I have been working with him on this project!
So if your viscous heater fails for whatever reason, I can provide a simple bolt on kit to totally replace the complete unit and continue the use of your OEM serpentine belt without any modifications or giving up the mechanical fan. Win Win!
As to the amount of load; the viscous heater does add some amount of load to the serpentine belt system when the clutch is engaged, about the same amount as the AC compressor, although very small as it may be, it is some HP required from the engine to rotate the heater as does any part requires that is being rotated/driven by the serpentine belt system from the crankshaft.
The reason I tell members about the OEM thermostat is that in most cases they are wanting or needing a replacement unit right now and do not have the luxury of waiting for several months to obtain one of the custom built units or they simply choose not to spend the amount of money it takes to purchase a custom unit.
I also warn against purchasing one of the online Chinism type knockoffs as there have been quite a few reports of failures right out of the box or soon after installing one of them.
So, an OEM thermostat is a better choice if you have to have a new unit right now and can't wait. Simple as that!
I have always said the custom thermostat is nice unit, I actually have one myself, but if you need a new thermostat right now, there are some other options available...
The ARP Head Studs: I think they over time have proved themselves as a superior product over OEM, just like the custom thermostat!
_________________
Supporting Vendor and Moderator of LOST05 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited
Ironman Springs/Bilstein/Shocks
Yeti StgIV Hot Tune
Week's BatteryTray
No FCV/EGR
Samcos/ProVent
SunCoast/Transgo
Carter Intank-pmp
2mic.Sec.Fuel Filter
Flowmaster/NO CAT
V6Airbox/noVH
GM11 Bld.fan/HDClutch
IronrockArms/wwdieselMount98 Dodge Cummins 24 Valve