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03:54:44 - 04/20/2024
General Dakota Board
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DAK911
Dodge Dakota
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3/17/2004
20:15:40
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 Subject: Lower temp plugs and thermostat?
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I'm getting ready to change the spark plugs in my 1999 dakota 5.2L engine. The recomended plug is the Autolite 5224. I see where alot of dak owners are installing a cooler plug,Autolite 3923 with a lower 180*thermostat. Is there a specific reason for doing this? I do have the magnum v8 engine, if that makes a difference. If this is done, do you need to run a higher octane fuel to reduce fouling?
I'm all for running a cooler engine but does 15 degrees really make that much difference?
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Balz
Dodge Dakota
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3/18/2004
05:17:44
|  RE: Lower temp plugs and thermostat?
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I'm newer in the dakota industry, but i've been triing to learn what I can about these things. I've heard of a lot of guys saying dodge has these engines running too hot, and not as efficient as they should. Can't say for sure what you should do, but thats the topic that will put you in the right direction.
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eallen
Dodge Dakota
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3/18/2004
16:47:16
| RE: Lower temp plugs and thermostat?
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The only reason that I did it (plugs and stat) was because I had a persistant pinging problem. If your truck is running fine as it is right now, I wouldn't change anything. The colder stat did make a big difference. I didn't notice much with the plugs though.
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gen1dak
Dodge Dakota
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3/18/2004
19:39:37
| RE: Lower temp plugs and thermostat?
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The Magnum computers make best power settings at 182 degrees. This isn't the best for emissions under ideal conditions, but with pinging, emissions go up like crazy. Anyway, the 180 degree thermostat will eliminate 90 percent of the coolant pocketing (boiling) in the heads. This will improve hp a bit, as well as helping mileage a little. The colder plugs come into play as performance mods are added. Again, the suggested plugs work well under ideal situations, so going to the 3923's may help to some degree even on a stock engine, especially if you're driving it, ahem, in a spirited manner.
As for Dodge running them too hot, they've run 193 degree thermostats long before the Magnums came along. It's emissions-related, and they're not the only ones. In the past, we could adjust the timing a little, or fatten up the carb mixture a smidge, and that'd cover most of it, plus, the hot stat was the first thing to go. Ideal lab conditions are a long way from the real world.
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JPDakota
Dodge Dakota
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3/19/2004
09:59:13
| RE: Lower temp plugs and thermostat?
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I'd change the thermostat to a 180* for now and install the recommended plugs.
Only my opinion.......
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uh..gen1dak
Dodge Dakota
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3/19/2004
16:49:57
| RE: Lower temp plugs and thermostat?
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that is the dumbest reason yet that I have heard as to the cause of "coolant pocketing ". Never ran accross a mechanic that ever said that changing a thermostat temp would keep water out of high spots that water, if not put in the engine's coolant system right, could not reach. sorta like saying that the reason that the car in the ditch had a pocket of air in the passenger cabin for a few minutes so the occupants could breath just cause the water temp was 45 instead of 55 degrees.
BS
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gen1dak
Dodge Dakota
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3/19/2004
17:20:31
| RE: Lower temp plugs and thermostat?
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Uhhh, hey dumbass. I didn't say the thermostat would keep coolant out of high areas. If you were as screwed up when you read my statement as you appear to have been when you wrote your reply, that'd be a good excuse for your not understanding what I wrote. Okay, try to keep up. You see, when coolant gets too hot, it boils. Sometimes antifreeze/antiboil and pressureized systems aren't enough. When coolant boils, (now pay attention here), it makes steam. Steam, in a confined area, creates pressure, which can, believe it or not, create "pockets" in those areas (typically, the heads, since they're the hottest). That pressurized pocket not only does not cool the head, it allows the temperature to spike even higher, which adds to the problem. This high pressure steam will block a coolant passage at least temporarily. By simply lowering the temperature by 15 degrees, you "open the window" enough to allow the coolant to move through without boiling (if the coolant mix is correct, and the other systems are working properly.
In the future, try to limit your replies to things you might actually know something about....like your difficulties in coordinating a trip to the bathroom, or your struggles with finding you own ass with both hands. Or for laughs, perhaps you'll enlighten us with your wisdom as to why one really would change to a cooler thermostat since I obviously have no clue. Funny, I'm wondering about those mechanics. When I "run across" one, all they ever say is AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!
NEXT!
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