Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Hi Temp Stat in a '96

[GerryJackson]

Hello. This is my first post. I have recently bought a 96 Dodge, with the intentions of converting it to wvo. I basically use this as a car, but do haul the odd load of wood. Vehicle is stock other than 4" strait pipe.



I have installed a stat out of an older 360 gas. Reason being 180 was the only one offered for my year truck, and the 360 stat was a 195. I wanted to get some extra heat as this is one method I use to warm the wvo



Gauge does the normal bounce thing{from what I've read}, although the old stat maintained a steady 160. Gauge will go halfway on the hi side of normal operating, before stat opens and then starts the cycle again.



Is this stat running my truck too warm? What is too warm? Warmer is better for wvo. Anyone see any problems in running a 195 stat? Thanks

 

[WDaniels]

Gerry,

I have 2 wide flanged thermostats from an old 360 I have used it in my diesel and it does run warmer. (I can get the numbers for you if you want them) The tstat does take longer to open for the first time but after that it opens at a little cooler temps. The first opening was about 195-200. My clutch fan comes on at 205 and it doesn't come on. Then it cycles at about 190. Hope this helps.

WD

 

[bgilbert]

It should be fine. I wouldn't want to see anymore than 220* for very long. Even 210*.



What year 360 ? I have a 75 and a 85 360, each stat is different, but I haven't compare them to a Cummins stat.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Gerry, if you're going to run WVO be sure and read the "alternative fuels" forum. There are some things to be careful of especially running full WVO. Indirect injection engines such as GM 6. 2 and old Ford 6. 9s are better suited for burning full WVO but there are ways it can be done on direct injection engines like the Cummins. Like you say heat is key but you should check out cj Hall's story about DSE (diesel secret energy) which I think makes it safer for your engine. One or two guys have had funny & bad things happen to their engine oil (turned to slime) running a high percentage of WVO.

I am working on a setup for my '98 so I can heat the WVO, but my plan is to go the DSE route and run a maximum of 50-60% WVO mixed with diesel because the diesel will help counteract the potential negative side effects of full WVO.

Vaughn

 

[GerryJackson]

Bill. I believe the stat was from a 72 360. Appeared similar except didn't have the "2 stage" piece with the rubber that tends to fall off and get jammed up{from what I have read} Thanks for the reply. Gerry

 

[BigEasy]

If someone could post the part number for this t-stat, that would be great. My truck is needing one, and I'd like to put in a 195... does BigC make a hotter one?

 

[Headshot zod]

From what I've read on Frybrid.com, they usually say the 2nd gen cummins is the best since the injection pump is lubed with motor oil. I'd love to get a ford 200+ tstat in mine with evans coolant.

 

[bgilbert]

If someone could post the part number for this t-stat, that would be great. My truck is needing one, and I'd like to put in a 195... does BigC make a hotter one?

AFAIK, BigC only makes a 180 stat for a 12V. 24V owners are lucky and can get a 190 stat.



I supposed I could compare some of the old stats I have laying around. I have some from a 12V C, 85 360, 85 318 and 75 318.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

From what I've read on Frybrid.com, they usually say the 2nd gen cummins is the best since the injection pump is lubed with motor oil.

It's the best of the Dodge Cummins series because of the toughness of the pump, but not the best bio-burnin' diesel out there due to the combustion chamber design. For whatever reason the enclosed prechamber of the indirect injection head design (or maybe the injector spray pattern?) burns the veggie oil more effectively- probably because it lights it off more easily. I had a '82 Blazer for awhile and put quite a bit of filtered WVO in it and the exhaust had noticeably less french-fry smell to it than when I burn it in my '98 12v.

 

[WDaniels]

BigEasy,

I just went and looked, it is a 532090. I got mine from NAPA. Like I said in my first post, it acts a little different but mine doesn't cycle in the 200's. Close to it but not much as my clutch fan would come on if it did and the fan doesn't come on. Which is at 205. Hope this helps.

WD

 

[BigEasy]

Did you have to modify anything, or was it juast a simple swap? Thanks, WD, you rock!

 

[WDaniels]

just an easy swap. Didn't do anything to it. Didn't use it this winter because it has been warm. Then March comes along and its the coldest March on record for Alaska. So much for global warming.

WD