| zzmac |
06-29-2018 08:15 AM |
Progress! I cleaned everything and shortened the bolts by maybe 1/8". I put everything back together without the thermostat and without any sealant and NO leak. So I can only presume that the thermostat slipped or the bolt(s) were bottoming out. Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions!
I haven't started the engine but I'm hoping it's ok now. When I redo everything and put the thermostat back in would it be ok to put a tiny bit of silicone around the edge of the thermostat to help keep it in place?
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| PNJSNAK |
06-29-2018 08:33 AM |
Make sure unthreaded shank does not try to engage threads of manifold
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| zzmac |
06-29-2018 03:13 PM |
Re & Re'd and put thermostat back in and it's leaking again. Go figure.
Will go back at it again tomorrow. It's getting laughable.
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| zzmac |
06-29-2018 03:20 PM |
Question (just in case)…. The thermostat housing has an indentation that the thermostat sits in. The radius of this indentation is wider than the lip of the thermostat and it can move around. Is this normal or should the thermostat fit snug so there's no movement possible? If so, I've got the wrong thermostat.
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Mine kept leaking until I used Permatex Right Stuff, without a gasket. No leaks in 5 years. Tossed the water pump gaskets also, using Right Stuff now, no more leaks there either. Jim
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| zzmac |
06-29-2018 03:38 PM |
Question (just in case)…. The thermostat housing has an indentation that the thermostat sits in. The radius of this indentation is wider than the lip of the thermostat and it can move around a little bit. Is this normal or should the thermostat fit snug so there's no movement possible? If so, I might have the wrong thermostat.
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| Tom Wells |
06-29-2018 03:40 PM |
zz,
Yet another shot in the dark: is the lip of the thermostat thick enough that it keeps the housing from seating on the manifold gasket?
Tom
:JEKYLHYDE
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| zzmac |
06-29-2018 04:43 PM |
I'll check that tomorrow. Thx
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| RallySnake |
06-30-2018 03:12 AM |
I use Permatex Ultra Blue gasket sealer for the thermostat housing (and water pump). No gasket. The most important thing is to let it completely dry for 24 hours before adding water. Works every time! The Right Stuff sealer is really good too. It is however, much more expensive. I save it for intake manifolds and oil pans.
RS
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| Andheeezonit |
06-30-2018 05:37 AM |
Typically the diameters match up well. Do you have any friends that are mechanics?
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| zzmac |
06-30-2018 09:39 AM |
Mystery Solved!! I want to thank everyone for their input especially Peter Sellers aka Tom Wells for his "Shot in the Dark"!
The edge of the thermostat has (had) a tiny ridge around the perimeter that made it sit slightly above the thermostat housing. So I took a 5lb hammer and flattened it out. I put everything back together with two new FelPro gaskets and NO sealant of any kind and no leaks. I thought Tom might be on to something because the only other time it didn't leak during this ordeal was when I left the thermostat out.
The funny thing about this is that the thermostat fit better too once I flattened out the edges as it now almost fits snug. And what's puzzling is the thermostat I installed is the same size as the original one and my old Mr. Gasket housing has the same wider indentation as the new housing and the ridge of the thermostat sits slightly above on that one too. Maybe that's why I would get some small leaks on & off over the last few years.
I'm glad that's over with! lol Time for a big drink!
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