Reische 170 thermostat install- what's involved?

[Derek@Lethal]

Is it fine to refill it with a distilled water only without coolant? I am planning to mix it with coolant if its better but I don't know what is the best coolant and how many do I have to mix I heard 60/40 but I'm not sure.

Yes, it is perfectly fine and is actually better in regards to cooling. Nothing dissipates heat better than straight water, but you can't run straight water as coolant/antifreeze is needed for anticorrosion and lubrication, it also lowers the freezing point/raises the boiling point of water.

If you are in a hot climate, running the most water possible, which usually is 80% water/20% coolant, is going to keep you cooler. For guys in the colder climates, you'll want more coolant/antifreeze to prevent from freezing over when the car is parked on a cold day/night. That's why I chose to use only water when I did the refill. If I ever have to flush the whole system, I'll probably go 70/30 or 80/20 since it does not freeze here in S. Fl.

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[Yellow]

Yes, it is perfectly fine and is actually better in regards to cooling. Nothing dissipates heat better than straight water, but you can't run straight water as coolant/antifreeze is needed for anticorrosion and lubrication, it also lowers the freezing point of water.

If you are in a hot climate, running the most water possible, which usually is 80% water/20% coolant, is going to keep you cooler. For guys in the colder climates, you'll want more coolant/antifreeze to prevent from freezing over when the car is parked on a cold day/night. That's why I chose to use only water when I did the refill. If I ever have to flush the whole system, I'll probably go 70/30 or 80/20 since it does not freeze here in S. Fl.

I am in AZ so I will do the 80/20 but which coolant do you recommend?

 

[Derek@Lethal]

Isn't the Lund tune pre programmed for the 170?

Yes they are

 

[Derek@Lethal]

I am in AZ so I will do the 80/20 but which coolant do you recommend?

The Evan's Cooling line of coolants seem to work really well. Give us a call if you are interested in any of their coolants :cheers:

 

[MikeD1]

Just curious & I think others will be interested in the answer as well - what happens if you just replace the t-stat but don't change the fan settings ? Would that be an issue other than I assume it would not run quite as cool with the fans not kicking in as early.

 

[tcador]

Just curious & I think others will be interested in the answer as well - what happens if you just replace the t-stat but don't change the fan settings ? Would that be an issue other than I assume it would not run quite as cool with the fans not kicking in as early.

This is what I have done at the moment. Basically don't get the cooler temps until you're moving.

 

[venumous]

Yes they are

I got a revised tune from Lund when I installed mine as he said he needed to change it to kick the fans on sooner.

Only part that hung me up was the stock thermostat was pretty well vacuumed in there. Had to give it a good tug and it finally came out, along with a good bit of coolant (used clamp). I just filled up with distilled water I had laying around for the Cobra.

 

[Strokerswild]

So who's got free shipping?

 

[LETHAL]

So who's got free shipping?

Lethal Performance does and a forum discount code. Just ordered mine last night.

 

[Derek@Lethal]

Just curious & I think others will be interested in the answer as well - what happens if you just replace the t-stat but don't change the fan settings ? Would that be an issue other than I assume it would not run quite as cool with the fans not kicking in as early.

This is what I have done at the moment. Basically don't get the cooler temps until you're moving.

:first:

 

[Derek@Lethal]

So who's got free shipping?

We do

http://www.lethalperformance.com/reische-performance-ford-50-170-performance-thermostat.html

 

[beefcake]

So who's got free shipping?

code
becool

http://www.teambeefcakeracing.com/rpford50.html

 

[Unas2k5]

Super simple install. Remove intake tube and the housing is right there. Drain radiator from petcock on passenger side. Remove the two 8mm bolts and the thermostat will drop right out. Make sure the stock O ring comes out with it!!! Install the Reische 170, tighten the two 8mm bolts (DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN, don't need hulk strength on these). Put intake tube back on, tighten radiator petcock and re-fill reservoir. I chose not to use the coolant I removed even though it was good and clean. I used straight distilled water, took 1 gallon. Start the car up and leave the reservoir cap off to let all the air bleed. Put the heat on full blast for a while and then turn the AC on full cold and fill reservoir as needed.

This is a great, cheap mod. Tune is required to have the fan settings changed. It's been hot here in FL, heat index averaging 105+. With the AC on, my ECT would be between 196-199* in the city, around 194 on the highway with the stock 180* thermostat. Now, it's 183-185* in the city (at it's absolute hottest) and 181 on the highway. The car has been adding more timing everywhere when watching the knock sensors compared to the stock thermostat.

You can find them on our site HERE!

Are we suppose to use the O ring? Mine didn’t come with an O ring but my 160 thermostat did. You didn’t mention an O ring installed with the 170

 

[Skye]

Are we suppose to use the O ring?

Derek hasn't been active in a very long time. But the following usernames are, so I'll give them a mention. They could answer your questions.

@LethalPerformance @LethalSteveG

 

[2015 Silver GT]

Are we suppose to use the O ring? Mine didn’t come with an O ring but my 160 thermostat did. You didn’t mention an O ring installed with the 170

This thread was over 10 years old before you bumped it.

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