 Expert
   Location: Cottage Grove, OR | Here is a picture of the correct thermostat if I do this correctly. Gallery section has a picture of both the top and the bottom. 
During my water pump situation described in another thread, while searching for the problem I changed the thermostat to a standard Napa unit. After the actual water pump problem was identified and corrected, but the standard thermostat remained my engine temperature ran 10-15 degrees higher than it had with the correct thermostat. So if you are having temperature issues, check the thermostat and ensure that it is the correct unit. The numbers stamped on the side of my correct one are 370-180. The correct one prevents coolant from recirculating through a bypass passageway when it opens that the standard ones don't. They allow coolant to continue to recirculate and this results in the higher tempeatures under any kind of heat load. |
Veteran
 Location: Kingsley Michigan | Good afternoon Steve-
I think what most people miss on using the correct thermostat and proper installation is placing it at the base of the aluminum riser instead of on top as the book shows. That "special" oversize thermostat cuts off the bypass tube inside of the water pump as you know. But, in getting the stat to fit properly, you have to grind some of the material away inside of the riser so the gasket can seat. The second reason is --wow---what a pain in the rear end to do with the auto air compressor, the distributor and alternator in your way. Solution---remove the air or alternator and make life easier.
As testimony to whether or not this really makes a big difference, the only answer is YES! I tried many other solutions and this is the only one that works.
Barn |