Thermostat Install Help

killbee

Founding Member

Jul 30, 2000

96

0

7

Western NC

Jul 9, 2004

#1

• Jul 9, 2004

• #1

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

New Member

Feb 23, 2004

296

0

0

fresno ca

Jul 9, 2004

#2

• Jul 9, 2004

• #2

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.

 

R

Rio96

New Member

Sep 11, 2003

99

0

0

Jul 9, 2004

#3

• Jul 9, 2004

• #3

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

15 Year Member

Apr 1, 2004

4,188

12

79

Dunedin, FL

Jul 9, 2004

#4

• Jul 9, 2004

• #4

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

 

killbee

Founding Member

Jul 30, 2000

96

0

7

Western NC

Jul 10, 2004

#5

• Jul 10, 2004

• #5

twogts4us said:

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

Click to expand...

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

 

S

Sinewave

New Member

May 11, 2004

25

1

1

Kenner, LA

Jul 10, 2004

#6

• Jul 10, 2004

• #6

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

 

BuffaloZone

New Member

Oct 14, 2003

411

0

0

Jul 10, 2004

#7

• Jul 10, 2004

• #7

killbee said:

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

Click to expand...

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

Founding Member

Jul 30, 2000

96

0

7

Western NC

Jul 10, 2004

#8

• Jul 10, 2004

• #8

BuffaloZone said:

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.

Click to expand...

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

15 Year Member

Apr 1, 2004

4,188

12

79

Dunedin, FL

Jul 10, 2004

#9

• Jul 10, 2004

• #9

Gotta love a happy ending!!!

 

crew_dawg16

New Member

Apr 25, 2004

445

0

0

DeKalb, IL

Jul 10, 2004

#10

• Jul 10, 2004

• #10

BuffaloZone said:

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.

Click to expand...

I would modify that thermostat before I modified my intake.

 

J

Joel's98GT

New Member

Jan 3, 2004

368

0

0

central OH

Jul 10, 2004

#11

• Jul 10, 2004

• #11

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

New Member

Oct 14, 2003

411

0

0

Jul 11, 2004

#12

• Jul 11, 2004

• #12

crew_dawg16 said:

I would modify that thermostat before I modified my intake.

Click to expand...

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.