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Thermostat Housing

Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2018 5:06 pm
by ThunderStruck
Looking for a thermostat housing for a 1978 chrysler 318. Used is fine and need it shipped to Maryland. Let me know if you have one lying around and the price including shipping. Thanks for your help.
Mike

Re: Thermostat Housing

Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2018 11:07 am
by EWRice
Do you have the single pocket raw water pump with the circulating pump on the front of the engine, or do you have the dual pocket raw water pump without the circulating pump?

Re: Thermostat Housing

Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2018 9:03 am
by ThunderStruck
Single pocket.

Re: Thermostat Housing

Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2018 9:10 am
by ThunderStruck
looks something like this
CHRSTHS-3745360.jpg
CHRSTHS-3745360.jpg (10.72 KiB) Viewed 15027 times

Re: Thermostat Housing

Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2018 8:02 am
by Fastjeff
I assume your housing is so rotted the water bypasses the t-stat around the edges.

Had that problem with mine and solved it by making a "gasket" out of stainless steel, glue and riveting the t-stat to it, and using two gaskets. Worked perfectly!

Jeff

Re: Thermostat Housing

Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2018 1:38 pm
by bcassedy
Jeff,
Couple of questions...
1. Did you pull the t-stat out at the end of the season?
... I do to add antifreeze after the engine(s) pull af from the salad bowl(s) and expell it from each exhaust AND then draining water from engines by pulling brass drain plugs on each side of engine***.
*** no longer have to that after adding drain port. Hose and ball valve to outboard drain ports.
2. Do you test t-stat for functionality at prescribed temp in pot of water?
Added.... how long would you say a t-stat will remain viable? Seems it should last a few seasons as long as pot test shows it opening/closing at its rated temp.

Happy New Year!!!
Bill

Re: Thermostat Housing

Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2018 4:51 pm
by ThunderStruck
Not having problem with thermostat. When I tried to remove thermostat, the "nipples" that go to the exhaust manifolds Broke off the thermostat housing.

Re: Thermostat Housing

Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2018 1:35 pm
by bcassedy
Thunderstruck,

It's "possible" that, if there's enough good cast iron left on the housing's body, you could take it to a welder who could braze on new steel nipples. Brazing's fairly strong and since that section of the water system is not under great pressure, such a repair should hold without issue.

Bill

Re: Thermostat Housing

Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2018 6:05 pm
by Fastjeff
If they broke off, it's gamer over!

I used to pull the t-stats at the end of the year, but found the motor still fills up with Pink Stuff with them in place--there's a t-stat by pass circuit hiding in there someplace.

I always drain as much water (and rust) out of the motor and exhaust before pumping the Pink Stuff in (about 3 gallons per motor). You don't want to dilute it to much or...

The t-stats MUST open readily when dropped into boiling water. We're talking 140/ 160 degree stats in 200 plus degree water! They must also close right back down with in a half minute when removed from the boiling water. That too is important.

Jeff

Re: Thermostat Housing

Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2018 9:38 pm
by EWRice
I should have one for you. I will check the parts dept. tomorrow morning. If the ones I have are questionable, I know I can still get them from one of my suppliers.