Are there any tricks you guys use to keep the thermostat in place in the housing while mounting it to the intake? 

  Ron Lane,  Meridian, ID

I use gasket sealer on the gasket and the stickiness helps to keep it in place.  You can also use a pick through the hose end to gently hold it in place.  In either case, finger tight on the bolts then ensure that the housing is flat against the intake before final tightening.


Lawrenceville, GA

Yeah, I like using aviation Permatex on the gasket and surfaces which I did this last time, but keeping that thermostat in the recess in the housing has been a problem. I'll try again. Maybe a couple of dabs of grease or RTV on the flange of the thermostatand let it set up before applying the gasket.

  Ron Lane,  Meridian, ID

I use a rubber band.  Kind of hard to explain, but loop it thru the nose piece on the stat so both ends are sticking out, insert the band thru the hole in the housing and use some kind of rod thru the loops that is longer than the housing  hose opening.

The rubber band holds the stat tight to the housing and when the housing is in place remove the rubber band by taking one end off the rod and pulling the band out.


54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

Would have never thought of that Paul. Thanks!

  Ron Lane,  Meridian, ID

I use a little weather strip cement to glue the thermostat in the housing and to glue the gasket to the thermostat housing. Let it set up long enough to get tacky. A light coat of grease on the other side of the gasket. Anti seize on the bolts.

Make sure the small hole in the the rim of the thermostat is on top so any trapped air can bleed out. Also, if installing a new bypass hose it will probably leak from the thermostat side especially if you use a 13lb. radiator cap, a 6 lb cap works fine, I use one it can save you a ton of grief. New rubber takes a long time to relax enough to make a good seal. My method is to tighten the clamp as much as you can with a screw driver (using a wrench will probably snap the head off). Put a piece of paper towel with a bit of plastic wrap sandwiched in under the thermostat housing and hose connections just in case to soak up minor drips. Drive the car, if you see coolant on the paper let the engine cool overnight and re-tighten the next day, repeat as necessary.



1955 312 T-Bird Warwick, NY

Thanks a lot. Never knew about the small hole in the t-stat rim or how to orient it. I'll try it.

  Ron Lane,  Meridian, ID

I use Permatex Aviation sealer on the gaskets. You can hold the thermostat in place in the housing with a rubber band. Run it through the thermostat and put the ends over a pencil, rest the pencil across the radiator hose opening in the housing. Then insert the thermostat into the manifold leaving just enough room to slip the rubber band out.

1955 312 T-Bird Warwick, NY