180 or 190 Thermostat

[ramffml]

Towing season is right around the corner. Still not happy with the temps I'm seeing in my truck unloaded, and also the pinging/knocking I get when temps get higher (never hear a ping when it's cold). I've already remove the active grill shutters but to be honest that just seems to lower my starting/normal temps by a few degrees but when the temps begin to climb it doesn't seem to help anymore at that point.

So I want to try a thermostat next. Can anyone recommend a good candidate? And @Wild one would you think a 180 is too cold for winters in Canada if I "never" see outside temps below -20C where I live?

I watched a video on how to replace it, looks much easier than I thought. Looks like they just clamped the hose down near the thermostat, pulled out two bolts, swapped and put the bolts back in. Some other questions I have:
- do these have a specific orientation (like is there a top/bottom to these thermostats)
- after the new one is in, do you put more antifreeze back in the rad or the overflow
- no issues with air getting into the system there?
- any other tips?

I don't do much wrenching as you can tell.

 

[I-30]

Is your fan running?

 

[Wild one]

There's a bleed hole /jiggle pin that goes to the top. A 190 might be better for you,or you can swap the 180 out in the fall and put the stock 203 in for the winter.Swapping thermostats isn't hard,and by no stretch is it a permanent mod,plus gives you a chance to refresh the anti-freeze twice a year.I'm not sure why everybody thinks a thermostat swap is a permanent mod,lol

 

[ramffml]

Is your fan running?

It does run yes. I hear it when "parked" in a drive through waiting for the Karen in her suburban ordering takeout for her entire bus load and her dogs + goldfish instead of just getting out ... where was I. Yes the fan does work.

 

[ramffml]

There's a bleed hole /jiggle pin that goes to the top. A 190 might be better for you,or you can swap the 180 out in the fall and put the stock 203 in for the winter.Swapping thermostats isn't hard,and by no stretch is it a permanent mod,plus gives you a chance to refresh the anti-freeze twice a year.I'm not sure why everybody thinks a thermostat swap is a permanent mod,lol

Didn't know about the bleed hole so that's a great tip!

I just rather not go through that twice a year. Apparently aluminum threads too so there's that. I might try the 190 then.

Can you recommend a part on amazon?

 

[chopperman1]

Perhaps I'm missing something, but how does adding a 180 t-stat lower your towing/loaded temperature? Sure it will open earlier, but won't do anything for towing. Higher capacity water pump or stronger fan only thing I see to lower towing temps.

 

[ramffml]

Perhaps I'm missing something, but how does adding a 180 t-stat lower your towing/loaded temperature? Sure it will open earlier, but won't do anything for towing. Higher capacity water pump or stronger fan only thing I see to lower towing temps.

That's my understanding as well. It just lowers your starting temp, but if you find another hill that takes a little longer to climb then your temps will still hit the same peaks you had before.

In my case it's just one more step in the right direction. I might end up going for an after market oil cooler if I keep the truck long enough.

It might also help with reduced knocking/pinging when just daily driving. AGS delete already made a difference with that.

 

[Wild one]

Didn't know about the bleed hole so that's a great tip!

I just rather not go through that twice a year. Apparently aluminum threads too so there's that. I might try the 190 then.

Can you recommend a part on amazon?

Put a little anti-seaze on the bolt threads and don't cross thread them and you can swap the thermostat twice a year till you get rid of the truck.Go to your local auto parts store like Napa / Bumper to Bumper etc. and tell them you want either a 190 or 180 if you decide on a 180 for a 05 truck,if you tell them it's for 19 they'll tell you they don't have one.They've used the same thermostats since they started putting the 5.7's in the trucks in 03.
Or use this Stant number for a 180 and they can cross referance it to the brand they carry.

Stant #48798 is a 180

 

[Bigskyroadglide]

Here is a 190 part number

 

[Wild one]

That's my understanding as well. It just lowers your starting temp, but if you find another hill that takes a little longer to climb then your temps will still hit the same peaks you had before.

In my case it's just one more step in the right direction. I might end up going for an after market oil cooler if I keep the truck long enough.

It might also help with reduced knocking/pinging when just daily driving. AGS delete already made a difference with that.

If you decide on a 190 use Bigsky's number at your local auto parts store,and they can cross referance it to their brand.Before i forget make sure you open the box up and check to see if it has the rubber gasket,most come with the gasket,but i've ran into the odd one that didn't have it. You can always re-use the gasket off your original thermostat if needed,which i've done,but it's nice to also have the gasket already installed