The Ford Barn

shew01 · 02-17-2020, 03:26 PM

When I purchased my car in August 2020, it did not come with a thermostat. As the colder weather hit, I noticed that the temperature gauge rarely moved above 100 degrees. So, while replacing the upper hoses (I have two upper hoses because the previous owner split the upper hose for a fitting to the temperature gauge), I added a 180 degree thermostat from Bratton's. The thermostat came with two bypass holes drilled in it.

Before installation, I heated the thermostat in a pot of water on an electric range, and my temperature gun indicated that it opened properly at 180 degrees. So, I think the thermostat is working properly.

However, now that the thermostat is installed in the car, the temperature gauge "hunts" between 170 degress and 190 degress. Is that "normal" for a thermostat?

02-17-2020, 03:26 PM	#1
shew01 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Roanoke, VA USA Posts: 1,908	180 Degree Thermostat "Hunting" When I purchased my car in August 2020, it did not come with a thermostat. As the colder weather hit, I noticed that the temperature gauge rarely moved above 100 degrees. So, while replacing the upper hoses (I have two upper hoses because the previous owner split the upper hose for a fitting to the temperature gauge), I added a 180 degree thermostat from Bratton's. The thermostat came with two bypass holes drilled in it. Before installation, I heated the thermostat in a pot of water on an electric range, and my temperature gun indicated that it opened properly at 180 degrees. So, I think the thermostat is working properly. However, now that the thermostat is installed in the car, the temperature gauge "hunts" between 170 degress and 190 degress. Is that "normal" for a thermostat?