Vortecs came with 195 degree thermostat, unless the truck was destined for very cold climates. I don’t think the northern hinterlands of the British Isles qualify as that kind’ve cold.
Any good reason you’re running that warm of a thermostat?
As far as I know I am running the standard (195F) thermostat.
Thermostat opens when coolant in the block reaches 195F but coolant goes on to reach 210F (if gauge is correct) and stabilises at that. Isn't that how it works?
My understanding of how a thermostat functions is that it is there to prevent flow to the radiator below its pre-set temp and after that it opens and would only close if the coolant in the block fell below its pre-set temp. It doesn't regulate running temp.
If mine is running hotter than it should then that implies too high a temp rated thermostat, too much heat entering the coolant, or a lack of cooling capacity. Everything in the cooling system AFAIK is working as it should - including the rad being relieved of having the air-con rad in front of it.
One thing that I've noticed lately (since changing (leaking) inlet manifold gaskets though possibly it did happen prior) is that when parked after a run the gauge goes up to 235F and is showing that when I go back to it days later and it's cold. Presumably just the residual block/heads heat bleeding into the non-circulating coolant?
Is 210F too hot? I seem to recall someone (Schurkey?) saying these Vortecs run 'nuclear' hot, get up to heat quickly and retain it all day.
