Thermostat housing!!!! HELP....keeps cracking....HELP
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Junior User
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Thermostat housing!!!! HELP....keeps cracking....HELP
Hi, I have just put on my second thermostat housing last weekend and I just notice it's crack on the bottem by the bolt....and yes it's leaking again...what i'm I doing wrong? I tighten the last one to 18 lbs is this too much???
1984 F-150 300/4spd
Thanks for any help!
1984 F-150 300/4spd
Thanks for any help!
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 57,027
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From: Virginia
Thermostat housing!!!! HELP....keeps cracking....HELP
What I have found that gives me housing problems:
Surfaces not clean enough
Gasket too thick or more than one used at a time.
Thermostat falls down out of the cavity a little and gets caught under the gasket when you tighten it down.
Surfaces not clean enough
Gasket too thick or more than one used at a time.
Thermostat falls down out of the cavity a little and gets caught under the gasket when you tighten it down.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Apr 2002
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Thermostat housing!!!! HELP....keeps cracking....HELP
I have cleaned the housing...going to pick up a new gasket tomorrow..will make sure the thermostat is in the correct position...how much should I torque the bolts???
Senior User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 119
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From: tx
Thermostat housing!!!! HELP....keeps cracking....HELP
Are you placing the thermostat on the block first or in the housing. You should be placing it in the housing then push assembly against block. It should only be snug very little torque.
Chuck,
Chuck,
New User
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: California
Thermostat housing!!!! HELP....keeps cracking....HELP
Are you using an OEM housing or one of those aftermarket SPECTRE pieces of junk?
Also make sure you are installing the Thermostat in the housing, then the gasket over it, then bolt it to the block. Snug one bolt, snug the other, then tighten em' both. Not to much torque.
Also make sure you are installing the Thermostat in the housing, then the gasket over it, then bolt it to the block. Snug one bolt, snug the other, then tighten em' both. Not to much torque.
Senior User
Joined: May 2002
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From: tx
Thermostat housing!!!! HELP....keeps cracking....HELP
I did the same thing the first time. what happened was the thermostat didn't get centered in the groove and you were forcing it between the edge of housing and block .
Chuck
Chuck
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Elon, NC
Thermostat housing!!!! HELP....keeps cracking....HELP
Been there, done that. What happens (like another poster said) usually is the thermostat slips just a bit and the edge gets between the housing and the block. When you tighten the bolts on the housing down on the uneven surface you'll crack it every time. I have started using yellow weatherstripping adhesive to hold the stat in place. Place your stat in the housing, then a just a little dab of the adhesive on the flat part of the housing (doesn't take hardly any at all to work), then place the gasket on. Let it set up for a few minutes and install. I have never cracked a housing since doing it this way.
Ron
Ron
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New User
Joined: Nov 2002
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Thermostat housing!!!! HELP....keeps cracking....HELP
if you go to napa they sell a gasket that has one side with adhesive on it just put the stat in the houseing apply sticky side to houseing over therm and bolt her on, that way you dont have to worry about getting it lined up or slipping when you start tightening
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
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From: The Big, Oregon
Thermostat housing!!!! HELP....keeps cracking....HELP
I always put two dabs of black RTV on the t-stat 180* apart, press it into the housing firmly, and let it cure. Then, I use the import gray RTV, or Mopar ATF RTV, instead of a gasket to install the housing. I have yet to have one leak, but the key is to not use too much. Remember, however much oozes out outside, is just the same on the inside.
Jared
Jared
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