5.0 thermostat question
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2015
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From: Longview WA
5.0 thermostat question
So i just replaced the thermostat in my 93 f150 5.0.... This thing will not stop leaking... I sanded the metal surfaces took my straight edge to make sure the housing wasnt warped put it together with just the gasket it leaked everywhere gushingly... tore it apart got a new gasket used some gasket sealent this time.. worked until it warmed up... Im on my 4th attempt.. Should i just buy a new housing? It is straight according to the straight edge?? Really getting frustrated with this goofy thing too... Good news at least it didnt take 20mins of driving to get to temp 
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,118
Likes: 149
From: South Dakota
Are your bolts by chance bottoming out and not tightening up properly? Either from too long a bolt or rust on the threads at the bottom. I would screw the bolts in without the thermostat housing and see if they go in far enough.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,670
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From: Sand Lake, MI
Sounds like you're not putting the thermostat in its recess and holding it there in the housing while you put the bolts in.
Can be troublesome as if not done right it tends to drop down as you snug up the bolts, if so it'll leak every time.
Myself I use a little RTV to stick the thermostat into its recess to hold it there while I put it in place and get the bolts in. I put a thin coat of it in the recess then push the thermostat into it, I let it set up like that for a few minutes.
I use high tack spray a gasket on the gasket both sides, two coats allowing it to dry some between coats, I do not use RTV on the gasket.
Can be troublesome as if not done right it tends to drop down as you snug up the bolts, if so it'll leak every time.
Myself I use a little RTV to stick the thermostat into its recess to hold it there while I put it in place and get the bolts in. I put a thin coat of it in the recess then push the thermostat into it, I let it set up like that for a few minutes.
I use high tack spray a gasket on the gasket both sides, two coats allowing it to dry some between coats, I do not use RTV on the gasket.
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Senior User
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From: Longview WA
[QUOTEMyself I use a little RTV to stick the thermostat into its recess to hold it there while I put it in place and get the bolts in. I put a thin coat of it in the recess then push the thermostat into it, I let it set up like that for a few minutes. ][/QUOTE]
Tried that too on the 3rd try...So maybe ill just get it right tonite.. got a better looking gasket.
Tried that too on the 3rd try...So maybe ill just get it right tonite.. got a better looking gasket.
New User
Joined: Jan 2016
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Just did the thermostat on my truck yesturday. The first one leaked from the bottom, tried to make it seal twice. Leaked from the same spot both times. Went and got another thermostat and gasket, same results. The two that I got were aftermarket and had a gap around the edges of the housing. Went to Ford and got a mastercraft thermostat and gasket, was 45$ more but fit perfect and sealed up on the first try with no leaks at all. The Mastercraft one had to be pressed in with a little force and filled the housing perfectly. Your problem could be the same as I was dealing with.
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From: Longview WA
Well I just tore everything apart.. went ahead and took the wire wheel on the dremel and cleaned the whole mating surface up i put some sealer on the thermostat lips to keep it in place and used just the gasket this time... Sure hope it doesnt leak! And the thermostat i got is same OD and thickness.. So that shouldnt be a issue....whatever engineer decided to put a thermostat at a 180 down in that hole needs fired...haha But this is coming from the jeep guy...everything is easy on those.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,118
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From: South Dakota
There is actually an easier way to hold these thermostats in place. Take a pencil or anything and bridge across the round opening where the hose goes over, take a length of twist tie and hook it over the bail on the thermostat and the pencil and twist it tight. Just remove the twist tie when the thermostat housing is all bolted down and done.
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