Temperature question

syty9933

New member
where on the gauge should it be for operating temp, i think mine runs too cold and am thinking about swithcing back thermostats?? Mine never gets above 1/4 ever
 

Slow-Clone

Snow-Clone
Re: Temperature question

Mine doesn't either. Remember, the accuracy of the stock gauge is only so good. Scan tool can give you more accurate reading, then you can decide if you think it's too cold.
 

SY2455

70's Veteran
Re: Temperature question

These gages are not known to be consistent. You would better off getting another gage to read or compare your gage to what datamaster reads at different temps. I have a 160* themostat in my truck and the temp gage stays right at the 1/4 mark. On a really hot day it will get up to the 1/2 way mark and that is where my fan for the transmission cooler come on at 175*.
 

KDBL1TY

Member
Re: Temperature question

I have 160 degree in mine , stock gauge doesn't move past the 1/4 mark.
 

4C FED

Absolutum Dominium
Re: Temperature question

I set my cluster up with a 180 deg. thermostat.
Pull the cluster out and remove the clear bezel.
Install cluster back into dash.
Get truck up to operating temp.
Remove needle for temp guage.
Use Datamaster, TP or any other scan tool you have and set needle to match, usually right in the middle.
Re-assemble.
At least when it's at normal operating temp you'll know right where it should be.
 

syty9933

New member
Re: Temperature question

Well mine never even got to the 1/4 mark ever, and with the 180 or higher it sits right at it, is below the mark all the time too cold? or should i keep in the 180?
 

Slow-Clone

Snow-Clone
Re: Temperature question

Don't worry about it. Many of us run 160's. The thermostat doesn't know or care what is showing on the guage.
 

syty9933

New member
Re: Temperature question

Don't worry about it. Many of us run 160's. The thermostat doesn't know or care what is showing on the guage.

Isnt it bad to never get to the quarter mark? What is a normal operating temperature? if below the quarter mark was good then it wouldnt it be in the median of the gauge? Isnt it essiantly never warming up or getting to a good operating temperature? It just seemed to run alot better with a higher stat in
 

syty9933

New member
Re: Temperature question

Heres my situation, my truck had bad throttle response and bad idle because the truck wouldnt warm up enough to reset the TPS sensor with the 160, but when i popped in somthing higher it eventually warmed up more if not right at the 1/4 mark and reset the sensor to make the truck run better,now that it is reset , then wouldnt switching back to a 160 be bad? I drive the truck probally about 30 min at most around town between places before stopping somewhere? It is summer of course and its hot, but it never reaches the 1/4 mark. So wouldnt it be better to run a higher stat than 160 if i just drive it around town? And if I drive long trips daily to run a 160? You guys mention that it dosent get over the 1/4 mark but isnt that bad to not warm up or does it get to the mark but not much over because with the higher stats and smaller trips it does that? and is not running a 160 for short trips loosing performance?

And Im running a 195 now and it warms up a tad over perfect, if 160 is too low for shorter trips than ill by a 180

thanks
 
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SY2455

70's Veteran
Re: Temperature question

If you are worry about warm up then, You need to think about. It takes roughly 18 miles of normal driving, some city, some freeway for everything to heat up enough to evaporate the condensation that will build up in short driving in the (Engine,Transmission, Rearend). The condensation is one of the major things that will break down the oil over time. If you are driving this far you can leave the 160* thermostat in. There is my :2cents:.
 

syty9933

New member
Re: Temperature question

If you are worry about warm up then, You need to think about. It takes roughly 18 miles of normal driving, some city, some freeway for everything to heat up enough to evaporate the condensation that will build up in short driving in the (Engine,Transmission, Rearend). The condensation is one of the major things that will break down the oil over time. If you are driving this far you can leave the 160* thermostat in. There is my :2cents:.

thanks, even with a 195 amd 16 pounds of boost it never went over 1/4 , so ill run a 180 and maybe a 160 when i put on the new turbo
 
Re: Temperature question

Once you start running 20+ psi you will heat it up past the 1/4 mark. Now if you had datamaster like we keep saying you would know the exact temp of your engine any time you log :)
 
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