New Thermostat

fastRob · **Posted:** Thu Oct 20, 2011 6:51 pm

The new thermostat is in. Temp is up to the middle line. I am happy.
It is the third one I bought.
1. Kaz's scheme to do a replaceable thermostat
2. Mechanic broke it installing it.
3. Yippee!!! it works like it ought to.

CRD Joe · **Posted:** Thu Oct 20, 2011 8:17 pm

Is this a stock thermo?

fastRob · **Posted:** Fri Oct 21, 2011 11:28 pm

Yes, stock.
And the worst part is the engine has stopped building up soot so when a tailgater bugs me I can dose them with gack.
Yes, I jump on the pedal and no more black cloud. How could this be??? Proper engine operating temperature!!!

CRD Joe · **Posted:** Sat Oct 22, 2011 1:58 am

So Im wondering why did you need a new one, and how did you know you needed a new one?

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Sat Oct 22, 2011 8:51 am

if the temp gauge isn't within 1 tick of 12:00 - you need a new one.
and it fails open - so the engine runs cooler and cooler - mine was down to the 1/4 mark ~135F

optimal engine temp is closer to 190F - which is what Kap was trying for - the OEM thermostats start at 176F...

CRD Joe · **Posted:** Sat Oct 22, 2011 9:32 am

Thanks AT. Mine never gets to half. It always seems to sit one tick down. Would a new one reach the half way point? It seems this guys new one does.

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Sat Oct 22, 2011 10:18 am

The gauge is non-linear one tick left to straight up is ~40 degree range

CRD Joe · **Posted:** Sat Oct 22, 2011 10:25 am

So Im always at 176. Would that warrent trying a new tstat? Im at 76,000 miles.

Joe Romas · **Posted:** Sat Oct 22, 2011 10:44 am

CRD Joe wrote:

So Im always at 176. Would that warrent trying a new tstat? Im at 76,000 miles.

No, 176 or one tick left of center is normal for a good thermostat!
See the picture above.

dieseldoesit · **Posted:** Sat Oct 22, 2011 11:00 am

Joe Romas wrote:

CRD Joe wrote:

So Im always at 176. Would that warrent trying a new tstat? Im at 76,000 miles.

No, 176 or one tick left of center is normal for a good thermostat!
See the picture above.

Agreed, your tstat is operating just great!

Now if the needle was looking like the picture, just a tic above 1/4, then yes, you would need a new one. I just replaced mine last week.

patmaz · **Joined:** Sat Jan 01, 2011 2:52 pm **Posts:** 134

Fastrob,did you get your stat from the dealer or anywhere else because i need one to and the canadian dealer well 212$ plus it takes about 2 weeks to get it,and they wonder why we call them stealership,212$ for a thermostat,they really suck.

So if you got it from somewhere else,it would be nice to know,i searched the internet,found some on ebay,but not sure...

Thanks sir!

fastRob · **Posted:** Sat Oct 22, 2011 11:59 am

I shopped on line Moparpartsoline.com or something like that, I got 3 prices before buying.
I paid $120 shipped. Up from about $85 a couple of years ago.
But there is no inflation, we all know that.

patmaz wrote:

Fastrob,did you get your stat from the dealer or anywhere else because i need one to and the canadian dealer well 212$ plus it takes about 2 weeks to get it,and they wonder why we call them stealership,darn it 212$ for a thermostat,they really suck.

So if you got it from somewhere else,it would be nice to know,i searched the internet,found some on ebay,but not sure...

Thanks sir!

patmaz · **Joined:** Sat Jan 01, 2011 2:52 pm **Posts:** 134

WOW 120 shipped!!! Do you know the part number? Thats a bargain for me hahaha :lol:

Thanks again!

patmaz · **Joined:** Sat Jan 01, 2011 2:52 pm **Posts:** 134

Do you guys know if that housing can be opened?I just found that on the net,might a solution for all of us,but i dont know for sure.

http://www.allengines.com.au/Search/ind ... Search.y=3

dieseldoesit · **Posted:** Sat Oct 22, 2011 12:15 pm

patmaz wrote:

Do you guys know if that housing can be opened?I just found that on the net,might a solution for all of us,but i dont know for sure.

http://www.allengines.com.au/Search/ind ... Search.y=3

no, it can't

patmaz · **Joined:** Sat Jan 01, 2011 2:52 pm **Posts:** 134

dieseldoesit wrote:

patmaz wrote:

Do you guys know if that housing can be opened?I just found that on the net,might a solution for all of us,but i dont know for sure.

http://www.allengines.com.au/Search/ind ... Search.y=3

no, it can't

OK thanks

Squeeto · **Posted:** Sat Oct 22, 2011 12:36 pm

patmaz wrote:

Do you guys know if that housing can be opened?I just found that on the net,might a solution for all of us,but i dont know for sure.

http://www.allengines.com.au/Search/ind ... Search.y=3

It can be modified.
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=50940&hilit=thermostat

Someone may have picked up the ball on this now that Kap is gone.

patmaz · **Joined:** Sat Jan 01, 2011 2:52 pm **Posts:** 134

Yes interresting information here,but wow what a job,i just ordered a new one from oem mopar online,120$ shipped with the gasket,so in the end,not so bad...thanks guys!

Squeeto · **Posted:** Sat Oct 22, 2011 1:09 pm

The hardest part of the job is getting the old gasket off of the block.

I lightly coated the new gasket with high temperature grease (use silicone or white lithium) to keep it from sticking again.

Also when you bolt the thermostat housing to the engine block, and if you mixed your bolts, the shortest 10mm bolt of the four is for the bracket not the 'stat.

papaindigo · **Posted:** Sat Oct 22, 2011 3:48 pm

The cheap solution is an in line see viewtopic.php?f=5&t=63264 and other chats. Kap took all his corres/material and shop tools to down under with the intent of finishing up the stock in hand for those of us that supplied cores. I know he has arrived as we have exchanged emails on other topics.

I'm currently running a low mileage new OEM which I will dispose of when I get Kap's mode but if I was dealing with a failed open tstat I'd sure look at the in line option.

New Thermostat

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