Thermostat Orientation? - Which way?

[luke-44]

I can't believe I am not sure which way the thermostat goes, but in my racing days I just used a punched out core - it''s been years since I had a thermostat out of a street car....Anyway.....

....does the flat side go towards the expansion tank or the engine? Or conversely, does the raised thermostat side go towards the expansion tank or the engine?

Your help as always is most appreciated.

[relaxinrob]

flat side with spring goes in the intake first, domed side sticks up under the thermostat housing.

[feguy]

Check the thermostate housing. It should have markings that point towards the radiator. relaxinrob got it right!!
Good Luck

[bmcmillan]

For any thermostat for any car, the bimetallic spring goes on the engine side. The engine side is where the coolant gets heated. When the coolant gets warm enough, the spring opens the valve and lets the hot water out to the radiator.

Good luck.

Brian

[vettestr]

Hey Luke,
For giggles and grins prove it to your self and verify opening and closing point. Throw in a pot on stove with a t-meter. Watch it open and note degrees. Add a little cold water to pot and note closing temp.
Now you know set points and can see flow direction. Everybody gave great info and said water leaves block towards rad. It should open towards flow direction.. its that easy