Thermostat opinions

[Willis_98GT]

So i dont think my thermostat is opening, ever since i got my new motor together it seems as if the top radiatior hose is expanding much more then it ever did before, the car used to get hot on warm days where i sit idle for a bit of time after driving and my heater isnt as hot as it normally is.

i know i need to change this fast before my heater core loses regular flow and blows out, and i wont be very happy if i have to pull my dash again for a heater core, ( a complete bitch) .

so i always heard that a 180* is "better" but i mean is it really worth it then to go with the stock temp, which for 98 is 192 i believe..

Just looking for everyones ideas before i order next week. thanks!

 

[robb15033]

I have an aftermarket 180 degree stat. BUT, the most important thing people forget to do is drill the bypass hole into the new one, same location as stock. The hole will sit at twelve o'clock as you reinstall it.

 

[Willis_98GT]

I have an aftermarket 180 degree stat. BUT, the most important thing people forget to do is drill the bypass hole into the new one, same location as stock. The hole will sit at twelve o'clock as you reinstall it.

Elaborate Please.

 

[robb15033]

Elaborate Please.

When you look at the thermostat before removing from the housing, you will notice a small little hole in the outer flat edge of the thermostat placed directly in the middle (twelve 'oclock) as looking at it from standing at the front bumper. It is called the "pressure relief bypass hole" I believe.
If the thermostat is reacting too slow, this will relieve pressure at the valve.

 

[framda]

Most of the people I know here in FL run 180's because it is usually hot here. If I was in Alaska I would probably go with a hotter one. YMMV, Fred

 

[Willis_98GT]

When you look at the thermostat before removing from the housing, you will notice a small little hole in the outer flat edge of the thermostat placed directly in the middle (twelve 'oclock) as looking at it from standing at the front bumper. It is called the "pressure relief bypass hole" I believe.
If the thermostat is reacting too slow, this will relieve pressure at the valve.

Never knew that thanks!

 

[MARKCORE]

Yeah I never knew that either. I just replaced mine wiht the same symptoms. ...I didnt drill a hole though...

 

[red95r]

The thermo I bought at auto zone had what looked like a hole with a metal ball in it. If I squeeze the top hose you can hear the metal ball go up and down in the slot. I don't remember what brand it was but it acts exactly like the stock part.

 

[robb15033]

Yeah, here in Va. it's hardly an exaggeration to say the temperature is either 100 degrees or 30 degrees, no in between. The radiator fan still comes on at the same temp on my car so it's a mixed bag of reactions having all 4 seasons. All in all it helps because of the high RPM's and 3.73 gears fighting hot temperatures for me.

 

[ttocs]

not to post jack, but with a 180 thermostat where abouts does the temp gauge(stock) show for temperature? I lived in phoenix and I know I had it replaced and when I did the idea of living in the desert I think meant I went for a 180 but can't remember. It showed normal temps in phoenix but now that I live back in indiana it hardly gets up to the "N" in normal on the temp gauge and almost never crosses over it.

 

[robb15033]

You have to live in warmer temps or have the car set up to need one. If you have any issues somewhere like Indiana, you can use a stock thermostat and manipulate the fan "on" with a tuner. Otherwise, its going to take longer for your engine to reach normal operating temps and keep the ecu running "out of loop" parameters.

 

[ttocs]

thanks, now again what area of the gauge would the needle be on a 180 degree?

 

[Willis_98GT]

thanks, now again what area of the gauge would the needle be on a 180 degree?

With a 160 a while back my car sat before the N,

my 5.0 Has a 180 i believe and it sits on the N

 

[robb15033]

On an average warm day it will sit at the normal "N" spot. It just opens sooner to release water to radiator rather than circulating the engine until it reaches 192 degrees. The radiator fan will still operate as it had so temps will be normal for the most part. Getting out on the highway on a cool day is when you will notice the needle towards the left running cooler with air coming across the radiator. You need the engine to reach 220 degrees for fan to come on. Engine temp must reach 170 degrees for the ecu to release the "open loop" to closed loop where air/fuel mixtures are monitored and changes to what is needed.

 

[framda]

The 180 thermostat doesn't change how fast your engine warms up from a cold start. It just opens at 180, instead of 190. It lowers the overall maximum temperature. Good for a hot environment. I know Georgia isn't as cold as way up north but there were some days that the temp was 10 and I had to put cardboard in front of my Bronco's radiator to get the heater working. F that!!