thermostat help!
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Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2013
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thermostat help!
I decided to replace my thermostat on my 88 f250 with the 5.0 because it would take so long to warm up.. it didnt leak at all by the housing before i put new one in. So the first time i put the new set up in this order 1st the housing 2nd the gasket 3rd the thermostat then 4th the block in that order, then i added coolant and it leaked all out right at the housing at the bottom.. i asked a guy i worked with and said i had the gasket and thermostat in wrong order so today i switched it and used a new gasket and some silicone and now it leaks just a few drops and im not sure which is the right order for it.. 1st housing 2nd thermostat 3rd gasket 4th block. Or... 1st housing 2nd gasket 3rd thermostat 4th block??? Im pretty sure i got it in the right order now but id like to get a second opinion.. and why would it still be leaking a few drops still.... if anyone has any input or advice id would be appreiciated!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 8
the factory service manual shows ... housing/thermostat/gasket/ block.
my concern would be did you thoroughly remove all of the old gasket material ? if you come across a stubborn spot, a spray-on gasket remover works well.
i'm not sure whether silicone is your best choice either ... rtv sealant or "form-a-gasket" would be my choice, but i defer to more experienced players on that. whatever you use, a thin, even coat is called for.
torque spec. is 12-18ft.lbs.
my concern would be did you thoroughly remove all of the old gasket material ? if you come across a stubborn spot, a spray-on gasket remover works well.
i'm not sure whether silicone is your best choice either ... rtv sealant or "form-a-gasket" would be my choice, but i defer to more experienced players on that. whatever you use, a thin, even coat is called for.
torque spec. is 12-18ft.lbs.
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
the factory service manual shows ... housing/thermostat/gasket/ block.
my concern would be did you thoroughly remove all of the old gasket material ? if you come across a stubborn spot, a spray-on gasket remover works well.
i'm not sure whether silicone is your best choice either ... rtv sealant or "form-a-gasket" would be my choice, but i defer to more experienced players on that. whatever you use, a thin, even coat is called for.
torque spec. is 12-18ft.lbs.
my concern would be did you thoroughly remove all of the old gasket material ? if you come across a stubborn spot, a spray-on gasket remover works well.
i'm not sure whether silicone is your best choice either ... rtv sealant or "form-a-gasket" would be my choice, but i defer to more experienced players on that. whatever you use, a thin, even coat is called for.
torque spec. is 12-18ft.lbs.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,926
Likes: 116
From: Saskatchewan Canada
It can be a challenge to get those thermostats back in because you are working on a vertical surface. Sometimes, gravity is not your friend.
What I do is thoroughly clean everything. Then I position the thermostat into the groove of the housing, (spring towards the engine), using a light coat of RTV to glue the gasket to the housing. The thermostat is sandwiched between the housing and the gasket. I let this set up so it all holds together, then I bolt the housing to the manifold. This keeps the thermostat in place while I tighten everything up. You can use a thin layer of RTV on the intake side if you wish, but aside from adhesion, the gasket will do the job of sealing if everything remains in place.
What I do is thoroughly clean everything. Then I position the thermostat into the groove of the housing, (spring towards the engine), using a light coat of RTV to glue the gasket to the housing. The thermostat is sandwiched between the housing and the gasket. I let this set up so it all holds together, then I bolt the housing to the manifold. This keeps the thermostat in place while I tighten everything up. You can use a thin layer of RTV on the intake side if you wish, but aside from adhesion, the gasket will do the job of sealing if everything remains in place.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,118
Likes: 149
From: South Dakota
A little trick I picked up somewhere on the internet for installing these sideways thermostats. Take some twist tie material and wrap it around the bail of the thermostat. Bring the twist tie material out the end where the hose hooks on and use a bolt or pencil or anything and wrap the twist tie material tight around it. When you get everything bolted in place just pull the twist tie material out obviously.
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Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2013
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A little trick I picked up somewhere on the internet for installing these sideways thermostats. Take some twist tie material and wrap it around the bail of the thermostat. Bring the twist tie material out the end where the hose hooks on and use a bolt or pencil or anything and wrap the twist tie material tight around it. When you get everything bolted in place just pull the twist tie material out obviously.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2013
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The way I always kept the thermostat in place was a small bead of rtv around the thermostat to hold the housing in place and then a thin layer on the gasket to mate it to the housing so I don't have to fight it as much to get everything lined up or worrying about the thermostat slipping and just ever so slightly giving me a leak.
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