Engine Temp

I have a 225 v6 and in the winter here in Wyoming the jeep runs at 150F or a little less. If I change to a 195F thermostat would that make a big difference. I would like the engine to run 180F so my heater will blow hotter air. I use to put cardboard in front of the radiator a long time ago.

 

What temp thermostat is in it now?

I would think, even with your heat blowing full force and super-cold temps, the heater wouldn't disperse enough heat to cool your engine by itself. That means your current thermostat is opening too soon, or not closing completely.

I'd try replacing it with a standard 180° thermostat first, see if that makes a big enough difference.

 

Just a comment from my experience with an F-head…

I tried the same thing for the same reason.

But instead, in sub-zero weather the 195º thermostat never got warm enough to open before the engine would be boiling inside the block. Weird.

Maybe look into a better heater or stronger blower?

 

It has a 180F in it now. In the summer it runs 160F or less When I am rock crawling then it goes up to 190F to 200F.

 

How much faith do you have in the gauge?

A properly working thermostat shouldn't allow the temp to fall below its rating, and certainly not 30° or more.

If you try a 195° unit, you'll probably just have to switch it out again in the summer, no?

 

...or the thermostat? Maybe it isn't functioning at its rated temp.

 

I like to drill a small hole in the flange adjacent to the pop-it valve. This allows some water flow equalizing temps on both sides of the thermostat.
I'd recommend changing to a 195* and being as you are in a very cold region mask, or partially mask the grille or radiator may be required. Properly mixed antifreeze for you should be about 60 to 70%, that rich of mix also aids in quicker heat-ups as antifreeze does not "carry" as much heat as water.
Also keep in mind that a heater box is the same thing as a radiator,it transferrshotwater temps to theair.Make sure your heater core is flowinggood by removing thehoses and reverse flow (inject water from a garden hose in the outlet of heater core. Any restriction there needs to be addressed (flush, re-core or replace).

 

The engine is freshly rebuilt, the radiator has been gone through and works great. New thermostat, waterpump and shroud on radiator, hoses, the temp gauge is an Autometer. and a new Vintage Air heater/defroster. I am going to check to make sure the thermostat is working properly and in the correct way. I read somewhere that the Dauntless V6 came stock with a 190F
thermostat is this true?

 

I block half my radiator off with cardboard during the winter time. It makes a significant Improvement in heater output if you can get the temperature up around 190 or 200 degrees. I tried a 195 thermostat in mine in 2 separate occasions but could never get it to work. I had wild fluctuations in the engine temperature. Not really sure why...

 

iirc oe is 180
i wonder if all the air is purged from coolant loop?
do drill a small 1/8" hole in the flange portion (outside the poppit, but in the water flow). This allows water to completely fill the system and temps equalize.
Wax canister (spring side) of thermostat goes on the engine side of thermostat and valve side (bridge) goes toward radiator.
once you fill and run with nose of jeep pointed uphill to full temp let rev it a few times to get air to move. After heated completely let it cool a little and open cap to make shre air is purged. If you are you running an overflow water should completely fill radiator.

 

Did you check the radiator cap? At 13 pounds your water will not boil until it gets a lot hotter than 212 degrees, so you can run a hotter thermostat.

 

Good info guy's. Thanks for your help. I will let you know if I find an issue.

 

What kind of radiator cap should he be running? Any change from stock, if stock is 13 psi?

 

I think 150* F is way too cold of operating temperature.
The cylinder walls will wear quicker if they are too cold.
Ideal operating temp is between 180 - 210.
Mid way or 195* should be near ideal for operating in average to cold climates.