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203* T stat?

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Old Apr 14, 2012 | 11:32 AM
  #1  
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203* T stat?

Think I am gonna have to do a water pump soon. I hear some bearings under the hood. Wanted to know what yall think about the 203 thermostat
 
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Old Apr 14, 2012 | 11:52 AM
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Originally Posted by JT250
Think I am gonna have to do a water pump soon. I hear some bearings under the hood. Wanted to know what yall think about the 203 thermostat
I have it and love it. Warms up a tad quicker in the winter, much warmer air in the winter, and I recorded my best-ever mileage with it. (Not saying you WILL get better mileage, just an observation.)

I look at it this way... it's IH's engine, and it was designed for the 203* TS.

Also, I'd look into the billet TS Housing too, a little pricy, but leaps and bounds better than the stamped steel POS that comes stock on it.
 
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Old Apr 14, 2012 | 12:25 PM
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Originally Posted by ToMang07
I have it and love it. Warms up a tad quicker in the winter, much warmer air in the winter, and I recorded my best-ever mileage with it. (Not saying you WILL get better mileage, just an observation.)

I look at it this way... it's IH's engine, and it was designed for the 203* TS.

Also, I'd look into the billet TS Housing too, a little pricy, but leaps and bounds better than the stamped steel POS that comes stock on it.
Was planning on the housing.
 
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Old Apr 14, 2012 | 04:03 PM
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I think it has the most to do with where you live. Tom live in a cold place, as do most of the people who have seen improvements. People who live in mild climates dont seem to show improvements as often.
 
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Old Apr 14, 2012 | 04:10 PM
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I live in Oklahoma city. Not too cold.
 
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Old Apr 14, 2012 | 04:13 PM
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I dont think you will notice a huge difference though. I do plan on the 203 some day just because I can. But its not going to make a huge difference.
 
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Old Apr 14, 2012 | 09:16 PM
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I have it. No change in MPG but does warm up faster and gets hot even in the winter. 10 degrees outside and after 20 minutes I'm sweating and have to turn the temp **** down. It does cause the oil temps to run a little warmer though, especially on tuned trucks.
 
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Old Apr 14, 2012 | 10:17 PM
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I bought one to put in but decided against it.
I posted a thread about it so take a look. It is just my observations and other have had good success with it.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...nd-answer.html
 
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Old Apr 14, 2012 | 10:39 PM
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Well I bought one. I will put in in but keep my old one in casei dont like it.
 
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Old Apr 14, 2012 | 11:04 PM
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Originally Posted by JT250
.... Wanted to know what yall think about the 203 thermostat
I think the 203* stat in the 4700 DT444E trucks is necessary. They have a completely different radiator and the engine has quite a bit of 'elbow room' in the engine compartment. The water pumps are different as well (spin on filter). I am pretty sure the recovery time is quite rapid so having a stat that opens a bit later will help keep the oil temp in the proper range....especially in colder climates. We have a lot of these trucks in our fleet and their cabs aren't very cozy on cold days, even with the heat on full blast.

The Super Duty trucks have the 7.3 packaged quite a bit differently than IH does. Under hood temps are 15-20 degrees warmer compared to the IH 4700 (when measuring various components with an IR gun). I presume that Ford went with the lower stat in efforts to help keep the oil temps from getting too high, but I am only guessing.

Folks in cold climates might benefit from having the 203 stat...especially if their EBV has been deleted. (again...I am just guessing...)

Let us know what you think if you decide to try one out.
 
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Old Apr 15, 2012 | 12:23 AM
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I've had one in for about 80,000 miles now and my truck runs great in cold weather or hot. As the guys said, you will see better heat up in winter.
 
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Old Apr 15, 2012 | 07:42 PM
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I am a firm believer in what Bob at Dieselsite says here, I have the 203* TStat, billet housing AND his fantastic coolant filter setup-which btw has been mistaken for factory installed!!

http://www.dieselsite.com/dieselsite203thermostat.aspx
 
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Old Apr 15, 2012 | 10:00 PM
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Since Mark was a transmission coolant engineer for Ford I believe, I wonder what he has to say about the 203 thermostat. Does anybody know if he has commented on it before? I am not sure if his knowledge relates to the engine cooling also but I know he has commented on engine cooling in other aspects.

I would love to know his opinion on this. Hey Mark...
 
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Old Apr 15, 2012 | 10:40 PM
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There is no way I would put one in my truck..
 
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Old Apr 16, 2012 | 12:58 AM
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If you can wait, I'll give you mine.

Love 99% of what Bob sells, however that is one piece that does not belong on a pickup.
 
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