June Just June BS Thread
FTE Legend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 283,955
Likes: 8,387
From: northwestern Ontario
Have a question for you guys that seem to be working on these Ford engines, how are you getting the thermostat housing to seal. I've tried 7 times now and the damn thing still leaks..
FTE Legend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 283,955
Likes: 8,387
From: northwestern Ontario
I bought a new housing and going to give it a try today, both the intake and housing seem to be straight. I'm missing out on a lot of good days for cruising since I started this a month ago and kinked my neck..
Thread Starter
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FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 12,344
Likes: 1,318
From: Central Mississippi
I found out I've been doing it wrong.
I use form a gasket on both sides of the paper (Felpro) gasket only, not housing. (very thin, finger smeared) Mfg contravened, really.
I pre-assemble with a popsicle stick (stick, pencil, whatever), length of wire over the nose of stat to hold it in place
Make sure the stat sits dry in the recess first before gasket & goo.
I use SS hardware (lots nickel anti-seize), bolt, flat washer, split lock rather than a plain flange head.
Have also been told not to file or sand on a flat metal plate or glass to true housings. Or intake.
I use form a gasket on both sides of the paper (Felpro) gasket only, not housing. (very thin, finger smeared) Mfg contravened, really.
I pre-assemble with a popsicle stick (stick, pencil, whatever), length of wire over the nose of stat to hold it in place
Make sure the stat sits dry in the recess first before gasket & goo.
I use SS hardware (lots nickel anti-seize), bolt, flat washer, split lock rather than a plain flange head.
Have also been told not to file or sand on a flat metal plate or glass to true housings. Or intake.
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FTE Legend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 283,955
Likes: 8,387
From: northwestern Ontario
I just finished installing it again but laid a 1/8" bead of RTV as you said but didn't smear it on the gasket, installed it finger tight as per instructions on the RTV tube, leave for 1 hour then tighten..now I'm hoping for the best. Also ordered another housing , the new one was meant for the engine for the Mercury..
Grumpy goat
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 3,059
Likes: 597
John, I forgot what engine you have. Windsor? 385 series? I assume one of those two, since you mentioned the intake manifold. One of the few likeable features on the 400, is the thermostat housing attaches to the block. I've never had issues with mine. But have had issues with my 502 (385 block), and 302. Both have aftermarket aluminum intake manifolds. You gotta be careful torquing the two little bolts down, or you'll strip the threads out of the aluminum intake manifold (assuming you have aluminum).
I fixed my 502's thermostat housing leak, by using studs instead of bolts. I applied blue loctite, then turned them in until they stopped. Then the important part is to use quality flat washers, and apply ARP Ultra Torque to the washer, so as not to transfer any rotational force to the stud. You can safely torque that setup more than a standard bolt. Oh, and I used RTV on both sides of the gasket.
I fixed my 502's thermostat housing leak, by using studs instead of bolts. I applied blue loctite, then turned them in until they stopped. Then the important part is to use quality flat washers, and apply ARP Ultra Torque to the washer, so as not to transfer any rotational force to the stud. You can safely torque that setup more than a standard bolt. Oh, and I used RTV on both sides of the gasket.