I want a lower thermostat installed by ford for free lol. I heard they are a bitch to do.
A bitch to do, yes, but only because you must remove the alternator to get to it.
What I don't understand, is why everyone wants to change thermostats?
Thermostats do not keep the cooling system temp cool but hold it to a constant hot level.
In most cases coolant is always hotter than the thermostat's opening point any way (usually above 200°)
The thermostat opening point was first primarily to provide creature comfort but then it was found to produce less emissions by heating up faster.
Somewhere in the middle of those two times it was proved that less stress was caused to engine components by keeping the coolant constant.
So if you are in a very hot environment, the thermostat does very little for you.
If you are in a very cold environment, the thermostat does help keep the engine hotter.
If you are not having this over heat issue, why bother.
Another factor that most forget is that the thermostat is also a flow restrictor and remove it altogether.
This is a very bad thing and your car will run hotter.
This is because the coolant will flow through the radiator too fast and not cool enough.
It is my belief, as well as others I have talked to, the main reason for the thermostat replacement during this recall is to make sure it was installed correctly.
Yes, I do understand they went to a 180° unit, but mainly it was to make sure the bleed hole was at the top.
With the bleed hole other than at the top, this could cause air to be trapped in the block and cause a no cooling situation and the thermostat may not open at all.
Just my 3¢ worth.
Dave