Why is truck running too cool?

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I noticed on my truck the water temp was running awful low(160 or below). At first I thought it was a bad thermostat. Before I tore into it I tried to block the radiator. I only have an 8 inch strip of the radiator showing. It didn't seem to help much on the colder days(around 40) but on the warmer days(70 or above) the truck would warm up to 190 and drop to 170 and cycle back and forth. That indicates to me the thermostat is working. It's doing what it should do and open at 190. I unblocked the radiator and the temp drops back down to 160 and doesn't move. Even on the warmer days.
NOw,what can I do to keep the temp warm on the colder days short of blocking the raidator comepletly? And why won't the truck warm up like it should? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Just for a little background. I've only had the truck a couple of months so I don't know what kind of work has been done to it. See sig for details on the truck


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Curtis Harris

"JAWS"(The Great White)
Updated 11/19/00
1997 Club Cab Dualie
correctly valved 5 speed. White, Brown Manf. brushguard and rear bumper,Sprayed in liner, Stock plate and AFC properly adjusted. That's all for now. More to come.

 

[Archive]

I think your t-stat isn't closeing all the way but opens more when the temp rises. Cheap and easy to change. If you lived in the north country I'd say you need a winter front,if I don't put mine on the engine never warms. I think just sub-freezing air passing over the heaters coils is more than enough to cool the engine. The CTD has a mighty cooling system,I find mine never goes over 190° even with a big load on a 100°day.

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95' 25004X4,AT,Driftwood,Banks Stinger,Warn fender flairs and running boards(Play truck)95 3500,5 speed,Driftwood,Banks&Phscotty,34,000 GCVW apple and tractor hauler(work truck)

 

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Thanks for the info Bill. I've got a new thermostat sitting at the Cummins place waiting for me. Didn't want to pick it up until I was sure it was needed. Guess I'll give it a try.

 

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dodge has installed way more cooling system on these truck than some of us need(the guys like me that never, or almost never pull anything)like going to the store this morning in NY, 10 degrees out,noooootttttt much heat !!!!!!!!
but it,s great..... I Love This Truck !!!!!!!!!!

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'95 xt cab,slt,4. 10,auto,285 BFG all terrain ko's on Centerline Extreme Billit Comet 3's,K&N,tst 230/605, silencer ring in top of toolbox, boost and pyro in full pillar mt. 164,850 mi and climbing... went to feed the cat and it was GONE !!!!!

 

[Archive]

Well, I got the new thermostat installed this morning and I think I found the problem. The rubber on the old thermostat was almost gone. I'm assuming that it seals the thermostat opening when it closes. I haven't taken it out on the road long enough to really get it warm but I could tell the heater was getting warmer faster on the short run to the store. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Archive]

Your driving to slow #ad


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95' 2500 standard trans. 2wd reg cab 125,000 miles.
TST #4 plate kit, 370 Diamond B injectors, Afc spring kit, Gov. spring kit,TST's fuel pressure adapter and 2 guage pillar mount, SPA EGT/Boost guage. Joe D's Sachs clutch is in.