No,no,no! 4.7L's don't have aluminum blocks. Ma mopar went crazy and put
aluminum heads on 'em, but didn't go absolutely nuts and use an aluminum
block.I hate aluminum cylinder heads with a passion and wish mine didn't
have them.The temperature is most definitely something to be concerned about
with a 4.7L engine.I have let my truck get to right under 210 one time
before shutting it down for a good several hours to cool off. This happened
when I stopped and left the truck idling on a hot day without remembering to
leave the heat and the electric fan running to keep it cool. I will be
installing the 180* thermo soon, as I am getting tired of having to run the
electric fan in the winter just to keep it cool.I try not to let the temp
get to 200*, and when it does, I turn the heater on full with the elec. fan
running to get it back to the 175-180 range.My biggest problem is that my
mechanical fan clutch thermostat is set so high that I've never seen it come
on or that it is faulty altogether.I have tried to get the dealer to replace
my fan clutch on several occasions, but to "diagnose" the problem, they
would have to let my truck get to like 230* or more, and there's no way in
hell that motor will ever see more than 200* again.I have even tried to just
order a replacement fan clutch from mopar and replace it myself,but mopar
hasn't released the part # yet, so no go there.Be very careful with the
temp. on the 4.7L engine because of the aluminum head on iron block
construction.I firmly believe that on time to 220* or more and you will be
looking at failing headgaskets or cracked heads,possibly even some more
problems.I have seen this too many times on a alum/iron combination.I know
that mopar has some excellent engineering going on, but I am still very
weary of the composite headgaskets and aluminum heads.HTH,
Will Coughlin willcoughlin@hotmail.com
'00 reg.cab,2wd,4.7L/hd5-spd/3.92sg(9.25")
http://www.geocities.com/willcoughlin/index.html
----Original Message Follows----
From: "Lantz Mercer" <boog7@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: dakota-truck@buffnet.net
To: dakota-truck@buffnet.net
Subject: DML: RE: RE: 4.7L Temperature Questions
Date: Thu, 01 Feb 2001 05:11:49
yes, the thermostat is stock....
don't the 4.7s have aluminum blocks? i figured aluminum would transfer the
heat better therefore cooling the engine more. the truck running at 210
degrees doesn't really bother me right now, but before too long i'm gonna
put the k&n cone filter on it...all that extra heat in the engine bay might
slow me down since i'll be removing the stock air box.
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