180 Degree Thermostat ?

First add a bottle of Redline Water Wetter and see if that helps.Then add the 180. The computer will run the car a little richer if the temps fall. They still need to stay about 160 not below.Adjust fan accordingly. You might try a manual switch if worse comes to worse.

I plan to pick up a bottle of water wetter here shortly to try. I don't think I am running warm but I was told my fluid was a bit low so I need to get to the dealer and get more put in at any rate.

Was the vehicle purchases in AZ or out of state? Was the cooling TSB upgrade performed (you mentioned you were aware of the cooling problems that some '96s suffered from)? Run your VIN# by SVT (1-800-ford-svt) and inquire about this on Monday.

Also, when you changed the coolant, are you sure that it isn't air trapped in the system (was it properly "burped")? An bubble can wreak havoc and prevent the cooling system from running hot/overheating.

Installing a manual fan switch (or aftermarket radiator if the cooling TSB was not performed) may help if everything else checks out. I would also recommened an aftermarket water temp gauge so you know exactly how hot your engine is running (the factory gauges aren't very accurate).

G'luck...

Cobra,

How about an electric water pump? I saw an ad for one and says for street and track use, claims to free up some HP and I would imagine pump better too.