I was going ice fishing the other day and temp was 9F at start and -17F about 125 miles later. Temp needle wouldnt come up and heater air was cold. Put floor mats in front of radiator only helped a little. Engine got so cold it almost stopped running,smokin real bad and detonating. Pulled the thermy today and found it to be in 2 pieces. What a piece of crap. Got a new Stant from napa for 30 bucks and everything is good.

 

If you have a good thermostat you don't really need a winter front.

 

I replaced my Dodge Thermostat with a Cummins. Just holding them...one in each hand...you can see & feel a big difference in perceived quality and strength!.
Don't know if Cummins has a 190* T-Stat ....I went with the 180* due to my HP and wanting to keep Coolant temp from climbing when playing hard. If they do have a 190*...I'd replace the Dodge unit.
RJ

 

I think the lesson here is to not go ice fishing.. Brrrrr

Glad you got it fixed,
~Rob

 

The original thermy was a 180F and the stant was a 190F. It sure blows some hot air now. I MUST go ice fishing.

 

My new Dodge termy has been sticking closed sometimes? I guess I'll hunt for a Cummins termostat. If it is to cold to fish without a shirt and a cold beer in my hand it is just to cold to fish!

 

What kind of bait do you use to catch ice?
When I go stripper fishing I use smaller fish.....soooo , do you use ice cubes??

 

Geeeez! I have to get up and read a bad joke like this at 7:00 AM! How much coffee have you had!

 

Uhhhhhhh the "Dodge" t stats come in a "Cummins" box. My "cummins" tstat went weak awile back and I installed a new "Dodge",errrr I mean "cummins" tstat.

 

Don't really know about replacement T-stats from Dodge, but the factory 02 T-stat has a plate on the bottom to hepl increase warmup time/temps. These have broken off and caused at least one engine failure...reported here by "Haulin in Dixie".

The 190* factory unit I had would rise to 210*+ very easily when pushing hard in the summer. The 180* Cummins replacement has never risen above 190*....no matter how hard I drive it (racing or pulling heavy in the mountains).
The 180* works well in the south but obviously not what you northern guys need in the winter.

RJ

 

Good way to catch fish through the ice is - sprinkle a can of Peas around the hole in the ice!
When the fish come up to "take a pee"....you grab em!
Anonymous (no signing this one)