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Spyder343
Dodge Dakota
10/13/2001
18:35:21
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 Subject: 180 Degree Thermostat?
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Message:
What does a 180 degree thermostat do? I was thinking about putting one in, but I don't know exactly what it does. Do I have to use a higher octane gas if I switch? Thanks!
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Zaurusman
Dodge Dakota
10/13/2001
20:00:02
| RE: 180 Degree Thermostat?
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Message:
The thermostat regulates coolant from the radiator into the block. Allows more when it gets hot to keep it from overheating and allows less when the engine's cold so it will heat up.
You don't have to change anything at all (well, except for the thermostat gasket - be sure to get one of those too if do it). It just keeps the engine a little cooler; should make an imperceptible performance improvement and extend the truck's life (supposedly).
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Zaurusman
'98 RC Red Sport V6 5spd 3.21 15x8's
http://www.tiborsrealm.com/Dakota/Index.htm
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Spyder343
Dodge Dakota
10/13/2001
20:59:51
| RE: 180 Degree Thermostat?
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Message:
Is a 180 degree thermostat be better than the regular 195 then? Is it recommended to switch to 180 degree?
Thanks for your help Zaurusman!
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Zaurusman
Dodge Dakota
10/13/2001
22:50:52
| RE: 180 Degree Thermostat?
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Message:
Yep, it's recommended. Just something of a pain to install. Good luck, Spyder. BTW, some people say that they make the engine take longer to warm up in the winter, but I could swear my Jet thermostat warms up my truck more quickly.
Also, I read that it helps future mods.
Here's a little further reading:
http://www.tiborsrealm.com/Dakota/ModsList.htm#StatNotes
http://www.jetchip.com/domestic/stat.cfm?id=958
--
Zaurusman
'98 RC Red Sport V6 5spd 3.21 15x8's
http://www.tiborsrealm.com/Dakota/Index.htm
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Spyder343
Dodge Dakota
10/14/2001
01:15:11
| RE: 180 Degree Thermostat?
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Message:
Thanks for your input Zaurusman. I have read that the thermostats in the GenIII Dak 3.9's are hard to replace. On my 1989, thermostat is a snap to replace. I think I'll put in a 180 degree thermostat tomorrow. The one I have now is malfunctioning...my temp guage moves more than my speedometer! (Okay, maybe not that much, but it is certainly inconsistent!)
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Spyder343
Dodge Dakota
10/14/2001
06:18:09
| RE: 180 Degree Thermostat?
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Message:
What brand of thermostat is the best? I have read a lot on this site about Robert Shaw thermostats, but I live in Tacoma, Washington and no stores around here that I know of carry them. Would a Gates or Stant thermostat be a sufficient replacement for a Robert Shaw? Anyone know where I could find a Robert Shaw in or around Tacoma?
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bernd
*GenIII*
10/14/2001
15:02:30
| RE: 180 Degree Thermostat?
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Message:
A thermostat will not slow down the warm-up time in the winter. The are closed until they reach their rated temperature. If you're noticing longer warmups in the winter...that's because it's colder outside, not because of the t'stat.
1997 Dodge Dakota SLT - V6
Supercharged @ 10# w/Nitrous
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sicminds
Dodge Dakota
10/14/2001
15:30:26
| RE: 180 Degree Thermostat?
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Message:
How do you install it? Is it hard and
how long does it take. Are there any
HP gains? or MPG gains? Is it worth the
13.00 and the time to put it in?
sic
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Daddy-D
Gen III
10/15/2001
00:01:43
| RE: 180 Degree Thermostat?
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Message:
Replacing the T-stat is not that painful - just
use a long extension for your ratchet. First
remove the hose at the T-stat end; then
remove the T-stat pipe. The hardest part here
is cleaning the mating surface - it's a tough
reach. Of course, clean the T-stat pipe's
mating surface, too - be careful not to grind it;
just take your time.
I used blue RTV (Silicone sealer) on both
sides of the gasket - a thin application with
your finger should do it. Put it all back together
with the 180 -Deg T-stat. I got Stant's best, a
thing of beauty, at NAPA; put it in spring side
down. Make sure you reinstall the T-stat pipe
with the "FRONT" tab facing forward. Probably
best to wait for the RTV to set before running
your Dak. While you're at it, replace that evil
spring-type hose clamp with a high-quality,
proper-fitting S/S worm gear type - do not
change clamps on the radiator - you might
crush the plastic. What I mean by
proper-fitting: the hose clamp should be just
big enough to snugly fit over the hose as you
slide it down over the T-stat pipe. Arrange it so
the screw head is easily accessible once
tightened.
On mine, the danged thing wouldn't seal and
weeped constantly; I ended up having to
replace the pipe because the PO had it
worked on at the dealer in Burlington and the
morons ground off those outboard bumps
(and the "FRONT" tab) and it couldn't seal. I
replaced the pipe ($9) and, after a couple of
re-tightenings, it seals. I also took the
opportunity to change coolant (it takes 1.5
gallons once the entire system is
flushed/drained - fill the rest with water).
Good luck.
'98 DakSport C/C 3.9 2WD A/T
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Steve H.
Dodge Dakota
10/15/2001
16:39:34
| RE: 180 Degree Thermostat?
IP: Logged
Message:
I read on one of the earlier posts about the 180 t-stat that you should drill a small hole to allow venting. Is this true & what size hole do I drill?
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bernd
*GenIII*
10/15/2001
19:49:57
| RE: 180 Degree Thermostat?
IP: Logged
Message:
Never had to do that on any of my vehicles...all with RobertShaw T'Stats.
You can use a 1/16" drill bit though.
1997 Dodge Dakota SLT - V6
Supercharged @ 10# w/Nitrous
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Spyder343
Dodge Dakota
10/16/2001
21:31:28
| RE: 180 Degree Thermostat?
IP: Logged
Message:
I installed a 180 degree thermostat on Sunday, and I can't believe what a difference it makes! My temperature guage stays below a quarter, whereas before it would creep up to above half on heavy acceleration, and it seems to perform better as well! Thanks for the excellent advice!
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BLeagues
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
4/14/2002
22:20:27
|  RE: 180 Degree Thermostat?
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Message:
I have a question about the 180 degree thermostats, I live in eastern Canada and was wondering where it is a cooler climate if it makes any sense to change to the 180 from the 195?
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Trader
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/09/2003
12:39:42
|  RE: 180 Degree Thermostat?
IP: Logged
Message:
Thanks for the info on the thermostat guys, I did mine on the weekend and it took about 1.5 hours. Seems to run a bit better now too!!! BTW - I had the issue of a sticking thermostat which would cause the engine to overheat. I blew out the seals on my waterpump which I had to change also. I would be swapping the thermostat as a preventive measure now.
98 Dak V6 CC
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joshua porter
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/09/2003
12:59:53
|  RE: 180 Degree Thermostat?
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Message:
my grandmother is 56 years old and has heart problems and kidney problems. She needs a kidney transplant and it is going to cost over a $100,000. We need donations even 1 doller would help. Please send trough mail to p.o box 44 Exeter Maine, to joshua porter. Then I will put this money into the safe at my grandmother hospital to pay off the transplant. She need the tranplant before 8/0/03. at about that time her kindneys will shut down. All and any donations will be thanked through a post card sent back to you.
Thanks for helping
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DOUG
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
10/30/2003
13:22:10
| RE: 180 Degree Thermostat?
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Message:
I Just replaced the water pump and t-stat on my 1998 3.9 v6 dakota. I am having trouble with not getting any heat in the cab even after a 20 - 25 minute drive. the air does get warm but does not
get anywhere near as hot as it should. I had a shop do it? any ideas? bad t- stat or maybe
wrong t-stat. not sure exactly what one they put in. what about heater core? any suggetstions would help.
doug
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xmr
GenIII
10/30/2003
16:36:37
| RE: 180 Degree Thermostat?
IP: Logged
Message:
you have air in your heater core
K&N drop in ,Dynomax, Superchip Tuner, 1.7 RR,
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DOUG
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
10/31/2003
13:26:49
| RE: 180 Degree Thermostat?
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Message:
xmr.
How do i get it out? do i need to bleed from the connection at the core or would i be able to get the job done at the radiator?
Doug
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xmr
GenIII
10/31/2003
14:10:38
| RE: 180 Degree Thermostat?
IP: Logged
Message:
doug: read all of this thread it will answer you questions.
http://www.dodgedakota.net/boards/v6/453-1.html
K&N drop in ,Dynomax, Superchip Tuner, 1.7 RR,
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rich
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
10/31/2003
15:04:27
| RE: 180 Degree Thermostat?
IP: Logged
Message:
my 180 T stat came with a rubber seal that goes on the t stat before you put on the truck. I got it at Auto Zone. no need for anything else.just do not over tighten the bolts. It makes it easier to change.
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Chris
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
4/04/2004
21:17:29
| RE: 180 Degree Thermostat?
IP: Logged
Message:
Hello,
I have a '92 Dakota I bought used a couple of years back. Other than a clutch bearing needing replaced, it's been a great truck -- much better than the crap the foreign planst are turning out nowadays.
But now it seems I have thermostat troubles. After the truck runs for about three minutes it goes WAY into the danger zone. I can get from point A to point B by shifting the AC/heater temp bar back and forth on the AC console, which is why I'm pretty darned sure its the t-stat -- I had the same exact problem on an old Mazda RX-7 I used to have.
Changing out the T-stat is no big deal, but i cant find a chilton's anywhere for my truck. To save me bit of time, can anyone here advise on whether I should disassamble the upper or lower radiator hose apperatus to get to it?
After that it's pretty much a cakewalk. any other advise would be appreciated. Thanks!
Chris
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