| From | Message |
Jeff W
DakotaEnthusiast
5/01/2003
06:56:28
|
 Subject: What's involved in a 4.7 thermo install?
IP: Logged
Message:
Searched about 5 pages of archives and came up empty.
I'd like to drop a 180 degree thermo in my 4.7 but looking at it looks like alot of disassembly involved. Hard to see with the alternator in the way, tho.
My question is
a) What's involved in installing it, and
b) Is it worth the effort.
Any noticeable difference in the butt dyno or actual dyno numbers showing a gain?
'02 Sport 4.7 auto, Gibson exhaust, homebrew K&N cold air, 275/60 BFG Radial T/A's, Infinity CD w/Pioneer & Infinity spkrs & Kenwood powered sub.
|
Chris
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/01/2003
07:57:47
| RE: What's involved in a 4.7 thermo install?
IP: Logged
Message:
On my 2000 it was not worth the headache, but that is because one of the bolts snapped and made it a real bear to change, took me 2 hours to get the bolt out... Heat / turn... heat turn... over and over again... I suggest getting it from the bottom, not overly hard once you get the factory bolts out.. just remove the shield under the radiator...
Chris
|
Jeff W
DakotaEnthusiast
5/01/2003
17:24:29
| RE: What's involved in a 4.7 thermo install?
IP: Logged
Message:
Thanks for the input, Chris.
Could you be a little more specific about what needs to come off to get to the thermo?
It looks like, from the top, that there's a lot of stuff to remove to get at it. But like I said, it's hard to tell with the alt in the way.
Maybe I'll go look at it from the bottom.
Also, did you notice any gains in power or mileage? Would you feel it was worth it if you hadn't had the trouble with the broken bolt?
'02 Sport 4.7 auto, Gibson exhaust, homebrew K&N cold air, 275/60 BFG Radial T/A's, Infinity CD w/Pioneer & Infinity spkrs & Kenwood powered sub.
|
franlofter
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/01/2003
17:56:46
| RE: What's involved in a 4.7 thermo install?
IP: Logged
Message:
if you think it would be to hard to do yourself just bring it to a small shop should not cost that much to be installed.
|
Kyle
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/01/2003
18:19:17
| RE: What's involved in a 4.7 thermo install?
IP: Logged
Message:
I've done mine and its really simple.
1. remove front plastic skid plate
2. place catch tray under T-stat
3. loosen top T-stat bolt (do not remove)
4. remove bottom T-stat bolt
5. let fluid drain
6. remove top T-stat bolt
7. remove T-stat
8. remove rubber bushing from original T-stat
9. install rubber bushing on new T-stat
10. install new T-stat (check for line up points)
11. install 2 bolts. (no gasket needed for the 2001+ 4.7L
12. Refill coolant.
Approx time: 15min
|
on bottom
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/01/2003
19:19:24
| RE: What's involved in a 4.7 thermo install?
IP: Logged
Message:
I dont think he realizes its on the BOTTOM of the engine. Check by the bottom radiator hose.
|
Kyle
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/01/2003
20:26:14
| RE: What's involved in a 4.7 thermo install?
IP: Logged
Message:
Deffinetly at the bottom of the engine! Took me a while to find the little bastar*!
|
Jeff W
DakotaEnthusiast
5/01/2003
21:36:58
| RE: What's involved in a 4.7 thermo install?
IP: Logged
Message:
You're right.
I assumed it was at the top like every other friggin' vehicle in the world. Cripes, it looked like I'd have to take half the engine apart to get at it, LOL.
Should be a fairly straight forward install then, assuming I don't snap off any bolts ;-)
Still like to know if anybody's noticed any power gains from the swap??
'02 Sport 4.7 auto, Gibson exhaust, homebrew K&N cold air, 275/60 BFG Radial T/A's, Infinity CD w/Pioneer & Infinity spkrs & Kenwood powered sub.
|
Kyle
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/01/2003
22:21:12
| RE: What's involved in a 4.7 thermo install?
IP: Logged
Message:
No power gain, but warms up faster, and smother on starts. Worth it just for the warm up time.
|
Daksmack
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/03/2003
08:55:50
| RE: What's involved in a 4.7 thermo install?
IP: Logged
Message:
So would a cooler stat help this prob?
I can usually powerbreak with little effort. The 4.7 seems to love burnouts. However, when it sits at idle for several minutes, it can barely break em loose.
I emabaraced myself after braggin about how good this truck can burn rubber, and nothing happened.
May have been due to warm fuel in the fuel rails (no return line), not sure. I assume heat is the only thing it could be. After driving around the block, it will smokem easily again.
|
Greg
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/04/2003
02:01:31
|  RE: What's involved in a 4.7 thermo install?
IP: Logged
Message:
If after looking at your 4.7 for 30 seconds, You canot locate your T-Stat housing.. Take it to a shop.
I have a 02 4.7 4by4by4 auto.7.0 volt.K&N removed airhat reloacated Iat.I removed the fan today and installed a 180 T- stat.The motor runs cooler= good power gain.
|
Teestat
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/04/2003
07:01:59
|  RE: What's involved in a 4.7 thermo install?
IP: Logged
Message:
What if I look at my Dak for say 45 seconds and I do find the stat, should I stil take it to a mechanic since I did not find it in 30 seconds?
|
mudstat
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/04/2003
09:08:52
|  RE: What's involved in a 4.7 thermo install?
IP: Logged
Message:
no take it to the car wash.
|
Greg
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/04/2003
21:10:35
| RE: What's involved in a 4.7 thermo install?
IP: Logged
Message:
Being able to locate your T-Stat is a very good start.I removed the front Plastic cover, and let the coolent drain into a clean container. the above took about 15 min.
A 10 mm socket was used to loosen the housing for drainning.
I found it best to get the top bolt from the top.
bottom bolt from the bottom.
At least on my truck. But remember the motor driven fan was already removed.
Be advised the 190 T stat installed at the factory is for smog reasons, not for performance.
Removing the the motor driven fan and installing the 180 Stat. Gave me the seat of the panits power gain.I really do feel the increased power of the T- Stat. And removing the fan...I would guess free up 2 - 5 H.P.
If your engen heats up you can always turn your electric fan on by switching your defroster on.
Next weekend I will be installing a dash mounted switch as to control the electric fan. I did this mod. to my 95 ZR1 Vette. Later Corvett's use two electric fans, One comes on when the computer thinks the engen is getting too warm the other fan comes on when the defroster or air cond. is turned on. When I hit the switch, now both fans turn on.
Good luck..............
|
Jeff W
DakotaEnthusiast
5/04/2003
21:29:58
| RE: What's involved in a 4.7 thermo install?
IP: Logged
Message:
Thanks, Greg.
I can handle a thermo install, just didn't know where the Hell it was! I suspected it might be below, but wasn't sure. Didn't want to tear s--t apart until I knew for sure.
You did the thermo and clutch fan removal at the same time? I removed the clutch fan and did notice a little better acceleration. Seemed like the engine revved freer. How can you be sure the thermo helped if you did them at the same time?
Not busting your balls, just don't want to waste my time on a thermo if it doesn't do anything.
'02 Sport 4.7 auto, Gibson exhaust, homebrew K&N cold air, 275/60 BFG Radial T/A's, Infinity CD w/Pioneer & Infinity spkrs & Kenwood powered sub.
|
Greg
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/04/2003
22:29:44
| RE: What's involved in a 4.7 thermo install?
IP: Logged
Message:
Okay Jeff W. So, how will a cooler thermostat give you more power? By allowing the coolant to flow at a cooler temperature than the stock thermostat, a replacement 180 T-Stat. will keep the engine temperature cooler than stock. As we all know, cooler air is more dense and will make more power. Also, by keeping the pistons, heads, cylinder walls, etc. cooler, you will reduce or eliminate "hot spots", which could prematurely ignite the fuel and cause detonation and pinging.
As usual though, there is the law of diminishing marginal returns... If a little cooler is good, a lot cooler is even better, right? Nope. There is a reason for having the thermostat there in the first place... A cold engine isn't any better than a hot engine. There is an allowable range, and we want to be at the coolest end of that range without actually dropping out of it. the computer likes to see the engine hit 182 degrees. Any cooler than that might cause a problem and/or generate a trouble code.
|
| | P 1 |
|
Post a reply to this message:
Username Registration: Optional
All visitors are allowed to post messages
|
