What temperature thermostat does every one use? I know that the 5.8 is supposed to have a 192 deg. But is a 180 better here in the south where it is pretty warm most of the time?

 

Do you want to lower it just because?
If you have heating issues, there is a problem that should be corrected. If you want to lower just because you live in a hot climate -it is not necessary. And too cold potentially messes with the computer.

If you are doing a flush and wish to replace thermostat as part of that process, replace with OEM and you'll be fine.

 

Use the 192 degree as specified. A properly maintained cooling system will have no problems keeping temps where they are supposed to be.

 

Another post and run.

 

Not a post and run, just a busy schedule lol.
the reason I asked is because sometimes I pull a camper and when I do , the temp seems to jump around a lot.

 

I don't rely on the stock temp gauge for accurate temp readings, nor do I run anything but a 192 thermostat in all of my cars with Ford small blocks over the years.. All of the Ford small blocks of the fuel injection era used a 192* thermostat. The cooling system is designed to function well at that temp, even when towing.

If you are having temp fluctuations make sure that the entire cooling system is in tip top condition, Don't forget about the heater core.

If your truck is an auto add the biggest external transmission cooler that will fit.

BTW, this has worked well in the South since the early 1980's when 192* thermostats started appearing.

 

The thermostat has NOTHING to do with the engine operating temperature. Its only purpose is to get the engine warm quickly so the PCV system can work. It does NOT regulate or limit the engine's peak temperature, and changing it to a lower temp will NOT have any effect on the symptom you described. It will only make the engine wear out faster, burn more gas, have less power/torque, and more emissions.

 

I have considered adding a push fan to the factory transmission cooler. And the radiator is a single pass, I thought about putting in a 2 or 3 pass. What do y’all think about doing these.

 

A two row radiator should help it out a lot, a 1 row seems small potatoes unless it was a 5.0.

also, if you are gonna add a fan id say just add a larger aftermarket trans cooler and dont worry about wiring a fan. the radiator fan can pull enough and it always spins enough to have air flow

also make sure air deflectors work and are present/proper

 

Are you having a cooling issues where you feel this is needed? Just because you are in the south doesn't mean anything. If your engine and its cooling system are operating correctly, there is absolutely no need to go beyond the stock equipment which was originally installed from the factory. My belief is to fix any reason for running hot and not to use a "bandaid" fix to deal with it.