180 Degree Thermostat

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180 Degree Thermostat - 8/2/2007 5:02:19 PM    blackdak06 Posts: 120 Joined: 7/27/2007 Status: offline Has anyone done the install of the 180 degree thermostat themselves? I'm thinking of doing it, but from what the service manual says it looks like I have to drain the coolant system just to take it out, I've never done this before so I have no idea what to expect. Is this a doable thing? or should I have my mechanic do it? It doesn't look like its too hard. Let me know what you guys think. (sorry if this is already up here somewhere) _____________________________ '06 Dakota SLT 3.7L V6 4X4 6-SPD Manual www.cardomain.com/ride/2478661 www.nybowhunter.com Post #: 1

RE: 180 Degree Thermostat - 8/2/2007 5:54:08 PM    Cuban11182   Posts: 371 Joined: 4/6/2007 Status: offline The radiator should have a little valve at the bottom...you don't need to drain the entire system, just get the lever below the thermostat housing. Once that is done remove the housing and the old thermostat. Make sure you get one of the failsafe thermostats so that incase it fails it sticks in the open position instead of the closed position. Clean the old gasket material from both surfaces put the new thermostat in, RIGHT SIDE UP , put your new gasket on torque to spec. Fill system with coolant. Run truck and check for leaks. It is very easy to do..Just take your time and remember lefty loosey, righty tighty (in reply to blackdak06) Post #: 2

RE: 180 Degree Thermostat - 8/2/2007 7:52:18 PM    blackdak06 Posts: 120 Joined: 7/27/2007 Status: offline sounds easy enough, thanks for the info. Any specific thermostat you would recommend? Or is a thermostat a thermostat? _____________________________ '06 Dakota SLT 3.7L V6 4X4 6-SPD Manual www.cardomain.com/ride/2478661 www.nybowhunter.com (in reply to Cuban11182) Post #: 3

RE: 180 Degree Thermostat - 8/2/2007 8:06:38 PM    superdak05 Posts: 2601 Joined: 3/12/2006 From: ct. Status: offline i put the napa 180 stat in part number is 530080.same stat for the 318-360 motor. just remeber to cut a small notch out of the new stat to match up with the factory stat. _____________________________ thats right, i did it so what, cry two tears in a bucket, @#$% it, lets take it to the stage 13.7 / 101.3 in the 1/4 mile (in reply to blackdak06) Post #: 4

RE: 180 Degree Thermostat - 8/3/2007 5:23:20 AM    blackdak06 Posts: 120 Joined: 7/27/2007 Status: offline what do u mean cut out a notch? how come the napa part doesn't meet up exactly? anyway, is it a notch u need a dremel tool for? or something to that effect? i'm sure once I have all the parts in my hand i'll be able to figure it out...i hope!  _____________________________ '06 Dakota SLT 3.7L V6 4X4 6-SPD Manual www.cardomain.com/ride/2478661 www.nybowhunter.com (in reply to superdak05) Post #: 5

RE: 180 Degree Thermostat - 8/3/2007 5:57:28 AM    rick4dak   Posts: 159 Joined: 6/23/2006 Status: offline There have been several threads about changing the thermostat. One thing that is missing in the directions above is that our's is on the bottom radiator hose connection. It's more difficult to get to and you have to drain most of the coolant to get it down to that level. JET has a thermostat that already has the notch but instead of $3.00 it's about $35.00. (in reply to blackdak06) Post #: 6

RE: 180 Degree Thermostat - 8/3/2007 6:16:35 AM    Altair Posts: 4479 Joined: 3/10/2007 Status: offline quote: ORIGINAL: blackdak06 what do u mean cut out a notch? how come the napa part doesn't meet up exactly? I believe the napa part is a universal that just happens to be the same as ours minus the notch... _____________________________ quote: ORIGINAL: batman13 i liked the first clinton, he shot from below the belt..... (in reply to blackdak06) Post #: 7

RE: 180 Degree Thermostat - 8/3/2007 7:05:38 AM    superdak05 Posts: 2601 Joined: 3/12/2006 From: ct. Status: offline the one on the left is the factory 195 with the cut out. the one on the right is the napa stat. you need to use a dremel tool to make the small notch. and it is a 3.00 part. instead of the 35.00 part. you need to reuse the gasket from the stock stat. just remove it and place it on the aftermarket and reinstall. no need for silicone sealer or nothing Thumbnail Image Attachment (1) _____________________________ thats right, i did it so what, cry two tears in a bucket, @#$% it, lets take it to the stage 13.7 / 101.3 in the 1/4 mile (in reply to blackdak06) Post #: 8

RE: 180 Degree Thermostat - 8/3/2007 6:11:26 PM    ericemery DF Site Moderator Posts: 3861 Joined: 1/30/2007 From: Michigan Status: offline I did my own install.  its not tough.  you need a clean 5 gallon bucket and some good ramps or a jack/stands. You will need to drain a lot of the fluid.  I ended up flushing mine because I got a little dirt in the bottom of the bucket. _____________________________ 2006 SLT 4X4 Quad cab V8. I have a myspace? Yahoo: pbgeric AIM: Eric06Dak (in reply to superdak05) Post #: 9

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