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R
Quick question, my thermostat housing has a small leak that I'm getting ready to fix. If I'm not using the A/C or the heater, should I just replace the gasket and hose? Or should I go ahead and put in a new thermostat also?
|UPDATED|9/8/2015 7:33:20 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
|UPDATED|9/8/2015 7:33:20 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
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Any idea how old the current thermostat is ?? If it seems to be working okay (closed when cold, opens when warm) and it's not too grungy when you pull the t-stat housing, I might leave it alone. If your not sure of it's age and it looks pretty grungy, I'd replace it. Perhaps some the other members will have more input.
One thing I would highly recommend are the new t-stat gaskets that do not require the use of silicone or other sealer. I installed a new Felpro #35562T earlier this year and it has worked great. NAPA or your local auto parts store should have it or be able to get it. You'll notice it's a bit thicker than the standard paper gasket but it works great.
I have also had reason to remove my t-stat housing twice since it was originally installed and I was able to reuse the same gasket with no problem.
Good luck !!
John Sigmund
valkman57@sbcglobal.net
NCRS Member 61302
NW NCRS Chapter Member
Duct tape is the new Black !!
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m
Lifetime Member
Send PMEquinunk, PA - USA
Joined: 10/31/2007
Posts: 2570
Vette(s): 1972 conv, 4-speed, 350, 200hp, numbers match, rally wheels, war bonnett yellow w/white top. good condition, nice driver.
DON"T do it twice. Fix it right the first time. Anti-freeze is messy and you'll lose some in the process. The price of a new one is worth the aggravation of doing it over should the old one fail.
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Send PMTemple City, CA - USA
Joined: 10/3/2010
Posts: 365
Vette(s): 1969 Daytona Yellow. 350 / Automatic.
manchestershark said:
DON"T do it twice. Fix it right the first time. Anti-freeze is messy and you'll lose some in the process. The price of a new one is worth the aggravation of doing it over should the old one fail.
DON"T do it twice. Fix it right the first time. Anti-freeze is messy and you'll lose some in the process. The price of a new one is worth the aggravation of doing it over should the old one fail.A thermostat costs under $6. change it. its like replacing valve stems when buying new tires.
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R
Thanks for the response guys, I appreciate your help. I'll replace it.
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R
Gents,
I bought a new thermostat housing, a chrome one. Included is a rubber O-ring, do I still need to install a new gasket with the O-ring, or should I just install without the gasket and the O-ring only?
Please advise. Thank you.
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
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Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
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Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Let's hear a collective grooooan for the "chrome thermostat housing....
With or without the gasket, it's gunna leak. The only way to keep a chrome housing from leaking is to grind all of the chrome off the bottom of it, where it sets on the gasket. Then use only a gasket.
Unless you have a brand spankin new intake, with a perfectly flat mounting boss for the housing, the o-ring will do you no good....unless you pull the intake off and have it machined flat, that is. My suggestion is to either get a stock type(painted) housing, or grind the chrome off of the bottom of that chrome housing, and use a regular gasket.
On the new thermostat, you will see a small pin inserted into a small hole on the outer rim of the thermostat. Take some side-cutter pliers(dykes) and cut that pin off, so you have just the small hole open. This will help bleed all of the air out of the cooling system when you get ready to refill it. It also allows a small amount of coolant flow at all times.
With or without the gasket, it's gunna leak. The only way to keep a chrome housing from leaking is to grind all of the chrome off the bottom of it, where it sets on the gasket. Then use only a gasket.
Unless you have a brand spankin new intake, with a perfectly flat mounting boss for the housing, the o-ring will do you no good....unless you pull the intake off and have it machined flat, that is. My suggestion is to either get a stock type(painted) housing, or grind the chrome off of the bottom of that chrome housing, and use a regular gasket.
On the new thermostat, you will see a small pin inserted into a small hole on the outer rim of the thermostat. Take some side-cutter pliers(dykes) and cut that pin off, so you have just the small hole open. This will help bleed all of the air out of the cooling system when you get ready to refill it. It also allows a small amount of coolant flow at all times.
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
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m
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Send PMEquinunk, PA - USA
Joined: 10/31/2007
Posts: 2570
Vette(s): 1972 conv, 4-speed, 350, 200hp, numbers match, rally wheels, war bonnett yellow w/white top. good condition, nice driver.
Uggh! 
"NO" Shiny stuff where you can't see it or shine it! Confucious say: No sticky, no goodie!Be the first to like this post
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R
ok, Thanks Adam. I'll clean up the old housing and reinstall it. I appreciate the info, I'm sure it'll save me from having a problem in the long run.
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R
ha ha, got it. Thanks
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in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling
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