Current Thinking on Thermostat??
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Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,374
Likes: 46
From: Palm Bay, Florida
Current Thinking on Thermostat??
I just had my water pump replaced in my L99 with a Motorcraft unit.
My mechanic wasn't aware about or of my Billet housing or my 203* thermostat being special.
I guess he elected to get a kit (Motorad) that included a factory style stamped steel housing, 192* thermostat and a seal.
I didn't realize that he had installed this "kit" until I saw my old water pump at his shop.
I told him about the Billet housing and the 203* thermostat & he offered to install both for me at no additional charge.
I told him that I'd do it but am now re-thinking that.
I have always had a real hard time getting the billet housing, as nice as it is to seal without gobs and gobs of silicone.
My last mechanic 5 years ago also used LOTS of silicone to get the darn thing sealed up.
AND upon looking at the thermostat that is only 5 years old I can not find and temp marking on it telling me that it is in fact a 203* unit.
I got it FROM DIESELSITE and never checked it before now.
Should I disturb a nice clean install of the factory-style housing and 192* thermostat and risk trouble getting it all sealed up now?
My mechanic wasn't aware about or of my Billet housing or my 203* thermostat being special.
I guess he elected to get a kit (Motorad) that included a factory style stamped steel housing, 192* thermostat and a seal.
I didn't realize that he had installed this "kit" until I saw my old water pump at his shop.
I told him about the Billet housing and the 203* thermostat & he offered to install both for me at no additional charge.
I told him that I'd do it but am now re-thinking that.
I have always had a real hard time getting the billet housing, as nice as it is to seal without gobs and gobs of silicone.
My last mechanic 5 years ago also used LOTS of silicone to get the darn thing sealed up.
AND upon looking at the thermostat that is only 5 years old I can not find and temp marking on it telling me that it is in fact a 203* unit.
I got it FROM DIESELSITE and never checked it before now.
Should I disturb a nice clean install of the factory-style housing and 192* thermostat and risk trouble getting it all sealed up now?
More Turbo
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 544
Likes: 213
From: UT
I would leave it as is until you have to change either one again.
I have a 203 thermostat with a billet housing on both of my trucks. I have also installed them on around 10 trucks for friends. I have never had an issue with them before. Maybe the housing was bad on yours....or the gasket was put in the wrong spot. Never heard of one needing RTV before.
I have a 203 thermostat with a billet housing on both of my trucks. I have also installed them on around 10 trucks for friends. I have never had an issue with them before. Maybe the housing was bad on yours....or the gasket was put in the wrong spot. Never heard of one needing RTV before.
Thread Starter
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Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,374
Likes: 46
From: Palm Bay, Florida
Thanks! This is the way I'm leaning. I'm in Florida on the east coast where we see triple digit temps with the heat index about 5-6 months a year...
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 5,061
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From: Oologah, OK
I lived in Phoenix for 20 years, with 115-118 degree temps for two months at a time..... we did NOT go to lower thermostats, I lived in ABQ for 15 years, and Roswell, NM for 10 years....
that 203* stat will work just fine, as the air is still cooler by 100* than the engine....
the cooling system must be in good condition, if not, then that is your problem.
More Turbo
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 544
Likes: 213
From: UT
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Thread Starter
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Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,374
Likes: 46
From: Palm Bay, Florida
I would leave it as is until you have to change either one again.
I have a 203 thermostat with a billet housing on both of my trucks. I have also installed them on around 10 trucks for friends. I have never had an issue with them before. Maybe the housing was bad on yours....or the gasket was put in the wrong spot. Never heard of one needing RTV before.
I have a 203 thermostat with a billet housing on both of my trucks. I have also installed them on around 10 trucks for friends. I have never had an issue with them before. Maybe the housing was bad on yours....or the gasket was put in the wrong spot. Never heard of one needing RTV before.
I know that THEY don't actually make them.
The Billet housing is a bit rough on the contact surface and I thought it should be smoother....
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Thread Starter
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Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,374
Likes: 46
From: Palm Bay, Florida
Gotcha. That makes sense...
Thread Starter
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Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,374
Likes: 46
From: Palm Bay, Florida
It don't matter how hot the Wx is where you are.
I lived in Phoenix for 20 years, with 115-118 degree temps for two months at a time..... we did NOT go to lower thermostats, I lived in ABQ for 15 years, and Roswell, NM for 10 years....
that 203* stat will work just fine, as the air is still cooler by 100* than the engine....
the cooling system must be in good condition, if not, then that is your problem.
I lived in Phoenix for 20 years, with 115-118 degree temps for two months at a time..... we did NOT go to lower thermostats, I lived in ABQ for 15 years, and Roswell, NM for 10 years....
that 203* stat will work just fine, as the air is still cooler by 100* than the engine....
the cooling system must be in good condition, if not, then that is your problem.
Thread Starter
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Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,374
Likes: 46
From: Palm Bay, Florida
Is this Motorad brand stuff any good?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,671
Likes: 367
From: Fallon,NV & Bainbridge OH
Yes, Motorad is about as good of quality as you'll get nowadays. Have one in mine with several cross country trips, some pulling heavy, and no issues.
Last edited by truckeemtnfords; Oct 4, 2025 at 11:23 PM.
Cross-Country
Joined: Aug 2025
Posts: 70
Likes: 18
Short answer leave the 192. I've got the Mishimoto192*, just means it opens at that temp. The truck runs between 192 and 203 in this Texas heat anyway
no matter if it's a 192,203 or whatever, the truck is gonna run at what it runs at, as long as i't not overheating.
no matter if it's a 192,203 or whatever, the truck is gonna run at what it runs at, as long as i't not overheating.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 5,061
Likes: 1,414
From: Oologah, OK
it rode a rollback 250 miles to home.
I had a Gates water pump installed, bought a Murray radiator from O'Reilly's, and a 6.0 ATF cooler from some place ???
all good now.