Questions regarding coolant thermostat and fan thermostat switch.

This is how I think these two things work:

The coolant thermostat regulates engine operating temperature and the fan maintains the water temp in the radiator within the specified "on/off" range example 200F/180F. Am I right?

So, say the coolant thermostat opens at 180F. That means the water will continue circulating within the engine (and not go through the radiator) until the water temp in the engine reaches 180F (coolant thermostat opening temp). Once the temp increases past 180F, the coolant thermostat opens and water will flow into the radiator top hose and down the lower hose and back into the engine. Now the temp rises further and reaches 200F, the fan now cuts in and eventually brings the water temp down to 180F when it will then cut off again and the cycle continues. Is this correct?

Im asking this because I just ordered a factory setting thermostat (180F) vs. the 160F I currently have. My electric fan is set at 205F on/ 185F off. I read in a few (non mopar) forums people were saying that the fan ON temp needs to be way lower than the coolant thermostat opening temp i.e. the temp in the radiator should be cooler than the temp in the engine. In my setup, since the fan keeps the water temp between 185F and 205F, the coolant thermostat will be open all the time once the engine is in the Operating temp. Is that how it should be?

Sorry for the long explanation... im trying to understand how this thing "should" work. Thanks again.

Syed

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The thermostat's job is to regulate the minimum operating temperature of the engine. The fan should not be trying to bring the coolant down below the rated temperature of the thermostat. Your present fan cutout of 185°F should be just about ideal with the 180° thermostat.
Not so.

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