2.3L ('83-'97) 2.3l 1995 automatic heating problem

[petera]

had heat issue running at about 95 degrees (heat gun)found thermostat locked open damaged gasket--replaced housing gasket and thermostat with morad parts --still themp only reached 120--after scanning y-tube someone stated if thermostat and gasket don't fit snug water escapes through and still won't build temp-replacing with oe motorcraft housing and stant 45829 when they arrive will let know this is 1995 2.3l automatic--don't appear to be oe thermostats avail

 

[scotts90ranger]

I just put a motorcraft thermostat in my '97 2 years ago so not sure on that, but even in the stock housing there's some room for coolant to pass through (at least in my 190k mile abused unit...). It's kinda how they are, I've been on here for a LONG time and almost everyone complains about the temperature reading low (the 2.3L's that is), I've never had a heat output issue on my '90 but a lot has changed in the heater setup since then... on my '97 I've been blocking half the radiator to get usable heat and to help the fuel economy in the winter and our winters aren't near as harsh as CT winters... this morning it was under freezing by a little bit and the temp gauge barely moved after over 10 miles, and that's with half the radiator blocked with cardboard... it's kinda dumb that just some leaking around the thermostat and the heater core is enough to cool these things really...

 

[RonD]

Welcome to TRS

If you have a heat gun check the heater hose and upper rad hose
Heater hose should warm up much faster as it always has flow from water pump

Upper rad hose only has flow thru thermostat when its open, even if its leaking a bit heater hoses should get up past 160degF while upper rad hose stays below 100degF

People often put cardboard in front of radiator in winter months to keep the 2.3ls running warmer