removal of the t-stat on the 3.7 motoes is a warrenteed overheat.
read the tech bulliten about it.
the t-stat directs flow for either bypassing the heat exchanger,or not.
if I think about it when I get home or keep bumping this thread I actually have it sitting on my workbench.
DonS may have it as well.
guaranteed
Install a thermostat, the previous owner probably had an overheat and removed it. May very well be part of why you have the engine out.
Wilco. It never overheated the three times I took it out, though.
It may not have overheated, at least where the temp sender sets, but what about other parts of the engine. The thermostat controls the movement of antifreeze through the engine. Without it, (since liquids follow the path of least resistance,) you have less flow around the back of the engine and more flow around the front.