My 88 F250 - 302 seems to take a very long time to heat up. I would say around 15-20 for the heater indicator needle to move. It doesn't over heat and when it does warm up the needle stays right on center. Again,why does it take so long to warm up? Can anyone tell me or recommend the correct thermostat to get or could tell me this could be another problem?

thanks in advance,

Runner

 

Your truck probably doesn't even have a thermostat in it. Someone probably removed it. Your truck is supposed to use a 195* thermostat. I took the one on my bronco out it runs really cool. I live in az though. so if you live in a warm climate you don't even need one!

 

I run a 180 degree thermostat in my '87 and have no problems. I would recommend running a thermostat, even if you live in warmer climates, because it helps regulate the operating temperature...that is keep it near 180 - 190 where the truck runs best.

 

Ok.. it gets cold here in Connecticut. I'm sure there's a thermostat in there and is probably stuck or bad/ I'll put in the 180 thermostat and see what happens.

Many thanks,

Runner

 

just did one in my 89 f150 302. What a pain in the ***. Of course I was doing it when it was about -10 in the parking lot of our apartment. A tip- even though they may say that you dont have to take off any hoses, it is easier, at least with cold hoses, to take them off, get them out of the way to get the new t-stat in, then reconnect the hoses. Make sure you do a good job on it and put a high quality thermostat in because you dont want to do that job any more than you have too. Good luck

 

My thermosts went out when it was about -10 degrees f.
I put cardboard in front of the radiator to get it to warm up..No luck..
Finally I put a new thermostat in, and I got the heat back.
Wisconsin winters are cooooold !
Gene

 

>Ok.. it gets cold here in Connecticut. I'm sure there's a
>thermostat in there and is probably stuck or bad/ I'll put
>in the 180 thermostat and see what happens.

Put in a 195, that should be stock, and considering where you live it'll only help your heater output.

 

 

>>Ok.. it gets cold here in Connecticut. I'm sure there's a
>>thermostat in there and is probably stuck or bad/ I'll put
>>in the 180 thermostat and see what happens.
>
>Put in a 195, that should be stock, and considering where
>you live it'll only help your heater output.

Thanks to all for the great advice. Thank goodness I have a garage to replace this thermostat. However, not looking to do so.

From what was said thus far, sounds like I already might have a 180 in the truck because it takes so long for the guage to even budge after 15 to 20 minutes of running. ??? Is that NORMAL? This happens when it's cold or warm outside.

Again, when it does heat up the guage stays right on center. I never replaced it since I bought the truck in 1995 but seems to run normal and never over heated. Also, I just use the truck for plowing my driveway and to pickup heavy load when needed. Does anyone have a truck that takes a while to warm up?

I just picked up the stock 195 thermostat @ NAPA but don't want to replace if not necessary. Why fix something that's not broken. Should I just leave the way it is or replace anyway.

Thanks,
Runner

 

Replace it Just did mine for the second time since new. If you have a garage (I do too) fire up the heater and have at it.

 

The only difference between the different temp thermostats is the temperature at which they open up. The 180 should take less time to open up. Regardless of which one you have, I think it's probably stuck open, and I would replace it.

 

MINE ALWAYS GET STUCK CLOSED !!!!! No fair

 

Mine got stuck closed last time too.