Hey everyone, I have a 1982 dodge d-150 slant 6 and I’m driving the truck, can anyone tell me the right thing to do, I put in a 160 thermostat and took out the 195 and it says I shouldn’t, why not and I’m getting knocking noise in the Engine. Is that a problem? Thanks Daniel

On the thermostat issue, I agree a 160* thermostat is a bad idea.
On the knock issue, there are several things that can cause a knock, some not such a big deal some quite serious. We need more info on the knock to help you with that issue

Well it’s when I accelerate I hear it the most it’s pretty annoying, and when I put it in gear and then press breaks and then a little gas so it rpm’s go up a bit then it knocks pretty good, and thanks on the thermostat, an I’m looking for an aluminum rad for the truck and mabye even with an electric fan, I can’t seem to find one anywhere, mabye you guys could help me with that as well to find one, but I bought an original thermostat now 195* but when I had the original one in there at first my rad got to hot so I think I need a new rad, but thanks for that.

Can you make a video of the engine knock that you are inquiring about?
If so post the video on YouTube and provide a link.

On the radiator. Is the one in there original to the truck? Or has someone already swapped an after market radiator in. Asking as if it is the original unit and not keeping coolant temps under control it may need flushing or heavy duty cleaning at a radiator shop. Swapping in an aftermarket radiator will just give you more issues with mounting the radiator and getting hoses that fit properly. I would get the oe radiator cleaned or re cored.
On the electric fan. An electric radiator fan out of a mid 90’s Dodge Caravan is a nice fit into a D150 with a slant. You can get one out of a pull a part for not much money.
I did that on my 83 D150 and it works great. Get the wiring and connectors with the fan.
If you decide to go that way send me a pm and I can forward wiring instructions and photos of how I mounted mine.

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Okay well I’ll try.
But wow perfect that sounds easy but nice, then I’ll just have to get the rad yet, but ya I’ll definitely do that.

How crusty does the radiator look inside when the cap is off and fluid is low enough to see the tubes?
Do you know the history of the truck? Any knowledge of past maintenance?
I've had success with taking the radiator out, laying it on its back and using a product called "iron out" mixed with enough water in a bucket to completely fill the radiator, with it laying on its back, cap on, petcock closed fill the radiator with this mix and let it sit. A day or 2 won't hurt. Then tip it up and flush all ways with a hose, see what sediment comes out. Flush til completely clear.

I've also used the iron out as a flush agent in the block, with everything together (I'd take thermostat out for this one though) flush the engine as much as possible til all antifreeze is gone and water is as clear as it can get, pour a cup or so of the iron out powder in the radiator neck and run the engine to circulate it "good" let sit, run again and drain/flush completely.
At some point in the flush get the block drain out and let it "leak" out there as well, during the "flush til clear" part. (After you run the stuff thru the engine a while)
You'll be surprised, how much crud comes out....

One question this brings up, what shape overall is the radiator in? Are the fins all bent/folded over? Are the fins disintegrated and green with huge gaps between the tubes, where chunks of fins are gone? If so that radiator is junk. Or at least the core.

I recently took my radiator in for a "check up" while I did an engine swap and was told " no leaks but partially plugged" and recommended a record, to the tune of $600. Forget that.
Though any place that has a listing for a new radiator for these trucks with the/6 are $495. Not long ago, that price was 1/3 of that.
I did the snow bol treatment and got A LOT of crud out of it, and I can tell a difference in flow even with the garden hose.
Iron out is oxalic acid, and it's original marketed purpose was for cleaning out boiler radiators such as are found in older houses and in industry.

But I'd figure out the knocking before I got too deep into something like that. If it's gotta come apart that'll give you plenty of time to clean out that radiator while you're waiting on the machine shop to finish their part of the rebuild.

Well when I open the cap it does look a little rough, like not clogged but it’s rusty, ya sounds like work to get into but definitely worth it, I’d love to try it, and no I don’t know much history all I know is it comes from British Columbia/Alberta but ya got some rust on the body not much never seen salt like we do down in Ontario but ya I’d like to get that knocking noise figured out as well. Thanks for all the advice I’ll see what the shop says and see what I can do in the mean time, getting it slowly restored while it’s my daily driver. Also the rad does have a bit of a leak, but I think it is so far clogged that it can’t handle the hottest coolant from the 195* thermostat so that’s why my 160* is working so we’ll so far, but I have a new one to switch that one out.

Lastly I think I’m burning oil now that I changed the thermostat to a 160* which I found out was the wrong thing to do, am I correct or is that something that could cause it because it’s running to cold?

So just a question guys, for my 1982 dodge d150 slant six engine we’re can I find my serial number? I searched it an it said passenger side in the head on the block, and I can’t find it, so does somebody know?

Also I got the serial number of the transmission but I can’t seem to figure out what kind of trany it is, mabye somebody here knows.

For transmission ID, check the FAQ on the Transmission and Rearend page. Look under 904 Transmission.

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1975 Dodge D100 225 c.i., HEI, Offenhauser Four Barrel Intake, Parallel-mounted 500 CFM Edelbrock, Split Cast Iron Exhaust, 904 auto, 9.25" 3.55:1

I have a 1982 dodge d-150 slant 6. What ignition system do you have perhaps lean burn, there was service bulletin about this issue. Will check my library Memory may be bad.

Hope you can this read .both same bulletin. scanner not working to good