Can I get a threaded thermostat housing?

oz · Jan 10, 2008

I'm in the process of putting gauges in my '91 and want to put my temperature sending unit in the thermostat housing. My housing does not have the NPT threaded hole with plug that my '69 has. I would use one from an earlier car but the hose outlet angle is different (45 degrees older, 90 degrees newer I think).

Does anyone sell a housing with the threaded hole for late model 302's?

<OR>

Has anyone taken off the stock one and drilled and threaded it (the one in the car has a big dimple in the casting at the right place that was never drilled and tapped so it may not be too hard)?

Thanks.

LiquidGT · Jan 10, 2008

Yeah they sell them with a pre drilled hole, its chrome and the last time I checked to was $25 at 50resto.com.

I drilled and threaded mine with a 9/16 drill bit and a 3/8 npt tap bit, it was easy. You need a 1/2 in chuck on your drill for the 9/16 drill bit though.

Oh yeah if you put the temp sending unit in the thermo housing, the gauge wont read untill the thermo opens because the sender isnt in the engine. I would know, I have an aftermarket gauge in the thermo hole and the stock gauge in the stock place.

Mustang5L5 · Jan 10, 2008

Why not use the stock location? It's a little more accurate since it's taking a reading directly from coolany just off the engine

HISSIN50 · Jan 10, 2008

The parts store sells a cast housing for 10 bucks. It has a 3/8" NPT hole. Paint it so it doesnt look rusty.

As I recall, the chrome housings were actually discontinued because they are so prone to leaking.

I do agree about using the housing for your stock gauge (because it's on the wrong side of the t-stat. If the stat sticks closed, your gauge will be retarded). Put the new gauge's sender in the stock location.

Good luck.

wythors · Jan 10, 2008

Summit Racing has them.

Sicarius428 · Jan 10, 2008

Autozone has one for about 10 bucks. I bought one and realized that it was cast iron(not fond of chrome either) so I just drilled and tapped mine after borrowing a NPT tap. Works like a charm.
Kevin

tmoss · Jan 10, 2008

9/16" drill bit/drill press and a 3/8" NPT tap - do your stock one and save some headaches..........

cevtv · Jan 10, 2008

Sicarius428 said:
Autozone has one for about 10 bucks. I bought one and realized that it was cast iron

More likely it's cast aluminum........

LiquidGT · Jan 10, 2008

Sicarius428 said:
Autozone has one for about 10 bucks. I bought one and realized that it was cast iron

cevtv said:
More likely it's cast aluminum........

Nope, its cast iron, I used to work at an Autozone a while back and it was poorly made. It had a hole trying to make its way through the housing and it looked like it was gonna leak out of the box, I told the customer to go to the junkyard and he agreed.

Drill and tap it like tmoss says.

jrichker · Jan 11, 2008

Alternate placement for a temp gauge sender: Use the heater feed that comes off the intake manifold. Cut the rubber hose that connects the manifold water feed to the heater and splice in a tee adapter for the temp gauge sender. Be sure to use the same water feed line as the ECT sensor. That way you will get the most accurate temp readings.

Tee adapter info:
Make a pilgrimage to your local hardware or home supply center and get some copper pipe and a tee that fits the temp gauge sender. Solder two pieces of copper pipe onto a copper pipe tee with threads in the tee part. Find the correct brass fitting to match the temp sender threads to the tee fitting.

Sicarius428 · Jan 11, 2008

I was hoping it was aluminium but it definately is cast... It also has some dimple on it that didn't let my MR. Gasket thermostat sit right now that I think back.
Kevin

oz · Jan 11, 2008

Thanks for all the ideas! I will probably either drill and tap my housing or build the 'T' that jrichker suggested.

Thanks again

HISSIN50 · Jan 11, 2008

Maybe you guys got bad cast housings from the parts store. As I mentioned, it's what I used for the stock sender on the '94. I've had numerous PM's about it and quite a few other folks (most 94-95's dont have a dead port on the back of the intake) have used the housing with no issues.

It's the easiest and cheapest route.

oz · Jan 28, 2008

Well I got a casting from NAPA, painted it and installed it. I fired up the car and let it warm up yesterday to see if anything leaked. Nothing I did leaked but the CASTING has a super tiny leak! It's right on top next to the temperature probe. When the car warmed up (and the cooling system was pressurized) I watched a tiny drop of water form on the casting.
So now my question is, can such a tiny hole be sealed or do I have to remove this and replace it? I waited until the car was cool and smeared some RTV over the area but I don't consider this a permanant fix. What about cooling system sealers? I know I should get another one but am looking for a reason not to go through the hassle of doing the work

tmoss · Jan 28, 2008

once again - I suggest you get a stock unit and use it............

Can I get a threaded thermostat housing?

oz

LiquidGT

Member

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

wythors

Get off my lawn!!!

Sicarius428

Active Member

tmoss

Gettin Wired

cevtv

LiquidGT

Member

jrichker

StangNet's favorite TOOL

Sicarius428

Active Member

oz

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

oz

tmoss

Gettin Wired

Similar threads

Can I get a threaded thermostat housing?

Member

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

"How long does it take to get help in here?

Get off my lawn!!!

Active Member

Gettin Wired

Member

StangNet's favorite TOOL

Active Member

"How long does it take to get help in here?

Gettin Wired

Similar threads

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency