Thermostat Install Help

[killbee]

I installed a 180 deg thermostat in my car a couple of weeks ago and I cant get it to stop leaking around the area where the water neck meets the intake. I took it apart tonite and the o-ring was cut, but when I installed another one its trying to leak again. Did I install the o-ring wrong? Does it go under the thermostat between it and the intake or does it go on top of the thermostat between it and the water neck? Could I be tightning the bolts too much? PLease help. Thanks

 

[03poontanggt]

I think it goes on top. I can't remember 100%, but I think thats how i did it and I never had a problem with leaking.

 

[Rio96]

I seem to remember that the o-ring 'stays' with the top part.
I hope that helps.
You might want to try to fix the leak without the
t-stat (ok in the summer) ,,, fix one thing at a time.

 

[twogts4us]

Is it the hose that's leaking or the thermostat housing? My guess is that either one could be overtightened.

 

[killbee]

Is it the hose that's leaking or the thermostat housing? My guess is that either one could be overtightened.

Its the housing, I think I got the o-ring in the wrong place.

 

[Sinewave]

I just did the 180 thermostat a couple of weeks ago. The O ring goes on top of the thermostat.

 

[BuffaloZone]

Its the housing, I think I got the o-ring in the wrong place.

O-ring goes on top. Did you use a new one? I haven't had a leak problem and I've had mine out several times lately - 180 Lightning (didn't like the design). 160 Hypertech (Perfect fit and large opening but set a "Cold" code). 180 Hypertech (with even a larger flow opening, but support cage was too wide...so I modified the intake). Took a straight blade micro air saw and cut out 2 notches in the aluminum thermostat support area. Looks "factory" to me.

 

[killbee]

O-ring goes on top. Did you use a new one? I haven't had a leak problem and I've had mine out several times lately - 180 Lightning (didn't like the design). 160 Hypertech (Perfect fit and large opening but set a "Cold" code). 180 Hypertech (with even a larger flow opening, but support cage was too wide...so I modified the intake). Took a straight blade micro air saw and cut out 2 notches in the aluminum thermostat support area. Looks "factory" to me.

Thats what I was doing wrong, I had the o-ring on the bottom, I guess next time I'll pay more attention. Even though I installed it wrong this pony still wouldnt let me down, got me home everyday. Thats what I love about these stangs. Thanks everybody for the help.

 

[twogts4us]

Gotta love a happy ending!!!

 

[crew_dawg16]

O-ring goes on top. Did you use a new one? I haven't had a leak problem and I've had mine out several times lately - 180 Lightning (didn't like the design). 160 Hypertech (Perfect fit and large opening but set a "Cold" code). 180 Hypertech (with even a larger flow opening, but support cage was too wide...so I modified the intake). Took a straight blade micro air saw and cut out 2 notches in the aluminum thermostat support area. Looks "factory" to me.

I would modify that thermostat before I modified my intake.

 

[Joel's98GT]

showed up too late, but for future reference, what I do is rub a tiny layer of RTV just above the O-ring, then put the neck on, tourque the bolts to 20-22lbs and let it sit for a a little while (about an hour) and do all the other stuff i need done before refilling the coolant. Havent had a leak yet.

 

[BuffaloZone]

I would modify that thermostat before I modified my intake.

Support "cage" was too wide on thermostat and bending it would (probably) have weakened it and changed the overall length - may even create a clearance problem when the thermostat started to open.