Should a thermostat "slide around".

F

FordCustom

Senior Member
Just got through installing one of the Speedway aluminum water necks on my 8BA, and the thermostat is able to slide around an 1/8 inch or possibly more with the housing fully tightened? Should I have "glued" them to the water necks with gasket shellac first? Honestly I have never checked for this on any water neck I've ever installed, since they're usually perfectly horizontal on "most" engines. I was trying to keep it out of the gasket area, since it is possible on this engine to have the stat slide down between the neck and intake/head etc.

Should I be worried, or just carry on?
 
Normal clearance for the 2.125"dia thermostat is around .020-.050
Should not make any difference, it will just settle to the bottom and stay there.

Biggest concern is not having the thermostat in place before tightening with the result being bent housing ears.
 
Well, both thermostats are moving around a little. I would imagine that as long as it's not pinched in the housing flange, and is blocking 99.9% of the water moving through when closed, it should be fine eh? The polished aluminum housings also look AMAZING on the engine, I can't lie about that. My pipes will hopefully show up in a few days, and I can fill it and test for leaks, proper flow when opened, etc.

Then I will move on to other things, like a fuel system, brakes, etc.
 
I think GM is right, all the thermostats I have installed fit in the pocket snug, no movement, measure the od of the pocket then go to your parts store and have them give you the right ones, the ones that fit the thermo pocket
 
I'm curious what thermostat you're using. If it's a stock one you might want to consider a Robertshaw full flow thermostat available here: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/b...Oulh5dQZory_WEjP-qyuDNLqx7tPROdrfIghlo3vD_BwE (and other places)

bra-330-160_w.jpg
 
I did notice that the ID of the gasket was slightly larger than the OD of the thermostat? Most one's I've ever seen, the opposite is the case. The thermostat fits into a recess on the housing, and the ID of the gasket "traps" the thermostat against the housing. On this housing, you can stick the gasket to the housing with sealant, and then the thermostat can be put in or taken out with the gasket in place. Is the gasket wrong? The extra thickness of the gasket in the area of the thermostat edge, would definitely hold the thermostat snugly in place. The gasket seems to only seal on the outside 1/4 of the housing.
 
Old Henry said:
I'm curious what thermostat you're using. If it's a stock one you might want to consider a Robertshaw full flow thermostat available here: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/b...Oulh5dQZory_WEjP-qyuDNLqx7tPROdrfIghlo3vD_BwE (and other places)

bra-330-160_w.jpg
Click to expand...

These are NOT Robertshaw thermostats. They are supposedly copies made out of the country. The Robertshaw stats are ALL copper and brass. Bob Shewman 1-610-933-6637 or gadgiteer@aol.com has the correct original
330-180 Robertshaw stats. G.M.
 
That full flow stat in the pick. I just fitted a fully brass one in a Studebaker pickup I'm doing a bit on For a chap. It was a new old stock one in the box, can't remember the name on the box, but recall it was made in Knoxville Tennessee. It was a late '50's part. I'll shout when I remember the brand. He kept the box cus its cool.
It surprised me seeing it, with all the talk, I had assumed this Robert Shaw invunt them?
Martin.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top