Thermostat

[BigRigTech]

My 97 450 seems to run really low on the temp gauge (I know - factory idiot gauge)....I have good heat in the cab and it runs fine. For those with a factory idiot gauge where does your temp needle typical rest?....I need to get some Autometers in this thing too. A new t-stat might be a good start as well.

 

[Mike]

Gosh, if I recall it right my 95 usually ran down around the "N" on normal. If you are going to do a t-stat try the 203° from Dieselsite.

 

[BigRigTech]

The "N" eh....Right were mine runs too....Maybe that's normal. The upper rad hose neck looks recently new so I have to suspect there might be a new t-stat in there.

 

[Mike]

The 7.3's have a great cooling system. If anything they run a hair on the cool side with the stock 197° t-stat hence the upgrade to the 203° version. If you overheat a 7.3 you are really screwing up somehow.

 

[FordGuy100]

The 7.3's have a great cooling system. If anything they run a hair on the cool side with the stock 197° t-stat hence the upgrade to the 203° version. If you overheat a 7.3 you are really screwing up somehow.

Yeah I dont think I've ever really heard of a 7.3 PSD overheating.

 

[BigRigTech]

Ok, pretend eveything is normal.........Just thought I'd ask.

 

[foxman]

Foxman's 96 7.3 runs with the nedle centered on the "N" of normal after literally hours of interstate hard driving. Everything same as you mention = good heat, good defrost, everything seems OK so . . . . . I have to think it is the correct temp.

Foxman

 

[geonc]

Yeah I dont think I've ever really heard of a 7.3 PSD overheating.

hehehehe..

Mine has seen 240 deg ....of course that was with "no" fan trying to digg some fool outta some sand at the beach---BEFORE I was running my electric fans

 

[BigRigTech]

I've seen about 210F on the IDI but that's it.....A hot day in the summer is 30C here.

 

[lwillson]

Mine usually sits between N and O. I do know that the water temperature has gone up since installing the intercooler, as well, the water temperature is higher when the A/C is on. There's lots of hot stuff that wants cooling before the rad even gets cool air. I was worried about it, but it doesn't seem to get hotter than normal.

If you have an infrared thermometer, shoot the bottom rad hose or the block once its warmed up, it will give you a reading that is pretty close to the actual water temp. It was the easiest way I found to do it without getting wet