Thermostatic WOBBLE?

[Fat Hack]

Okay...maybe kinda stupid of me to ask...but aren't thermostats supposed to sit TIGHT in place when everything is snugged down?

Here's the scenario:

Stock fuck-wheel-drive thermostat housing points directly at the firewall, so I got a V8 angled thermostat housing to replace it with. Same gasket, same bolt pattern...fucking groovy.

Now...I re-used the stock V6 195 degree stat cuz they want a king's ransom for a new one...so I attempted to hold it in place somehow (vertically, of course!). It's supposed to sit into a little goove in the intake manifold.

The V8 housing (from a worthless small block!) will tighten down okay...but even when it's By God tight, you can still stick your finger in and wiggle the thermostat.

I've never thought to TRY wiggling them once installed, but why the fuck would they be designed to sit into a groove if they can just wobble all over once you crank down the bolts?

One thing...the Worthless Small Block V8 housing has a cast in 'ring' around the area where the thermostat goes...I'd imagine to promote a better gasket seal? The stock housing didn't have that 'ring'...just a flat surface.

I installed the gasket with a very thin film of blue RTV on it, so I'll go pour some water into the intake through a fitting right behind the thermostat and see if the housing leaks.

If there's no leak...I guess it's just a case of "Fuck it...it ain't right but it don't LEAK!", right?

(Logic tells me that if the thermostat can flop around, then it won't be worth a fuck...but if doesn't leak and it doesn't overheat...should I give a shit at this point?)

Not that you can run a temperature gauge on this engine, though...the 'probe' for my gauge is about three inches long, and if installed in either one of the only two places it CAN go...it hits the wobbly ass thermostat!

(Side note: 'Gauge Baseball' is a GREAT stress reliever! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif)

[Slide]

1. Do you have a particularly thick gasket on the t-stat housing?

2. How thin is that coat of RTV? I told a friend to put a thin coat of Permatex on something once... when I turned around it was 1/2" thick. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif Thin is relative? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

3. Some of those SBC t-stat housings that have the groove were designed for O-rings to go in the grooves instead of using gaskets. Especially the chrome ones.

4. Lotsa t-stats have that raised "bead" stamped near the outer rims. Could yours be smashed flat?

[Upchuck]

if you got a recess in the block for the thermostat just file down to a flush surface on the housing or whatever you need to take off so it don't rattle, it shouldn't rattle around otherwise the fluid is gonna flow around it, unless its so small amount it not gonna matter and since your off to a warmer climate who cares if it takes an extra 3 minutes to come up to temp http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[Slide]

Maybe the FWD wee-sicks designers spec'd a special metal for the thermostat (thus the high parts counter price tag)... when the engine coolant gets to 183.7 degrees, the metal t-stat body expands to a tight fit between the intake and water neck. It stays loose when cold to allow air to escape from the system while you are filling it. This will prevent cavi....

...nevermind. That's stupid. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif

[choprods]

sounds like a job for our superhero...... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gifSILICONE MAN!
Just a little bead around the thermostat in intake let it set up then bolt on the housing later.....JUMPIN JEHOVA! Done! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[willowbilly3]

It sounds like you have a double t-stat recess thing going. The engine has the recess and so does the housing. If the housing is aluminun just take it to the belt sander and mill it down. If you don't have a belt sander you can do it by hand on any flat surface with sand paper, it just takes longer.

[BELLM]

willowbilly diagnosed whats causing the problem, choprods gave the fix. Ain't this a great place!!

[Rocky]

Sounds like Kenny has ya covered ok Hack. I've had loose t'stats set up an ungodly racket of clicks and buzzes that will drive you and your computer crazy. If it's severe enough, the knock sensor can pick up the racket and retard the timing. But I'd imagine you're not using fuel injection on your massive, gargantuan, big block 2.8 mountain motor, right?

[SanDiegoJoe]

[ QUOTE ]


I'll go dump water into the intake and see if it leaks or not...if not...screw it at this point!



[/ QUOTE ]

Once you start the engine and the water pump takes over the water will be inder pressure... just pouring water in there is not a very good leak test...

[JimC]

I am thinking "Poorman's"(TM) special milling machine-12 inch bastard file from Sears! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif