i have one that is the same diameter as the stock themostat just want to try it out not lookin for it efficient as long as it doesnt overheat or get pass 210* going down the quarter mile like it does now
Putting in a 160* thermostat won't help with your overheating... as a matter of fact, it will mess with the preformance of your truck. Like Chris said, your 6.5 likes to run at 200*.
The temperature on your thermostat (160*) refers to the opening temp.the temperature at which your coolant first begins to circulate... once it opens, it stays open until the temperature drops below 160* again, at which time it closes.
The temp of your thermostat therefore controls the BOTTOM temperature, not the TOP temperature.
I must be running a 180 in my truck now becasue temp never goes over 185 and the radiator is circulating. Bought it this way. So it does help keep the temps low even when operating, unless no one normally gets to 195 in day to day driving? If just running it for a race then I think it would help keep it cooler longer.
I run a 180F in mine, it gets pretty darned hot here in Atlanta in the summer. In a cooler climate i'd run a 190/195F but keep an eye on the temp gauge as i don't like mine running over 210F at any time.
Don
well i didn't have to upgrade my water pump or anything...
all i did was flushed out my system with my water hose and added new anti-freeze...
and put on my electric fans and she never gets over 180* no mater what yesterday it was 108* and i had the a/c on full blast and it stil didn't get over 180*...
idk... i didn't even change the stat its whatever the stock one is...
and with the a/c off it runs a little cooler....
i don't know how winter is going to be...lol
i'll try to get some pics soon all they are, are 05 chevy truck fans and i wired them direct which means that they stay on the entire time that the key is forward...
but i'm pretty sure that i could control the fans with a temp controler and that way i could pick a temp...