Thermostat bypass question

Lklemm1

I have 232 in my truck that came from a pacemaker. If I understand correctly when a install a new thermostat, I should put a freeze plug in the hole inside the housing and use a modern 160 degree modern thermostat? Is there any other ideas and is this the correct thing to do?

Glowplug

Drill small hole in the freeze plug

Ol racer

FYI
I use an early Ford 390 V8 T/Stat #33036 Gates. I also drill a hole in the side of it. Fits Gooseneck perfectly.....I Thick permatex goose neck upsidedown with gasket then let 'set up' before placing on Head.

JasonNC

Ol Racer,

How big of a hole do you drill?  I'm not sure if I understand what you mean by "thick permatex gooseneck upside down with gasket".  Are you putting the thermostat in upside down in the gooseneck and then putting on the Permatex on the gasket? 

Ol racer

No.
 I put the ThermoStat in correct direction (Bellows toward Head/Block), then permatex (from a tube) the gasket then place gooseneck upside down awhile for permatex to set up so T/Stat doesnt slip out of place going down onto the head. If notice the tiny groove for T/Stat is in Gooseneck and not the Head.

As well as drilling a hole in the Soft Plug, I also drill an 1/8" or 3/16" hole along side of the T/Stat Bellows. (Its an old optional fail safe trick in case T.Stat ever sticks)

iceblade10

I am considering trying out this modification.  Does anyone have specific part numbers for thermostats that will work?  I see Ol Racer mentioned the Gates #33036.

I've also seen people mention a "modern Large OD Ford Thermostat (Delco #3043320 equivalent)"

What is the number for that Ford Thermostat?

And if the aforementioned Delco #3043320 is "equivalent," does that mean I can just use that part instead of the Ford part?

iceblade10

Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot to mention that this is for a 308, not a 232... I have NO idea if the gooseneck is different or not...

Lklemm1

The thermostat I used was a NAPA part number 191. Freeze plug number was a 381-2110 for the by pass hole.

Ol racer

Same Gooseneck anyway...
 T/Stat from an early 60's Ford 390 V8. Be sure to drill a small 'bleed' hole in the soft plug. I drill one in the T/Stat too.
 I prefer to glue the T/Stat in the goodseneck upside down with the gasket stuck to it too so when place on the head it doesnt slip out of place.

iceblade10

Thanks guys, that is very helpful.  

Is there any special process to press in the freeze plug?

J Spencer

Stant # 13076 or 13476 160 degree.  Fits older 60's-70's Mopar V8 plus some Fords other makes. Available at most any parts place.       don't forget to drill 1/8 inch hole in soft plug, act like an air bleed.

JasonNC

What is this "soft plug" that you guys referring to?  Is it a freeze plug that is the size of the hole in the head or the size of the goose neck?  I have the thermostat and intend to drill the hole in the side of the thermostat.  I'm just confused about the purpose and positioning of the freeze plug.

Jason

iceblade10

Jason, it is a "cup-style" freeze plug, and it fits in the small circle right in the middle of the gooseneck.  It looks to be 1.25 inches.  Apparently you drill a 1/8 inch hole in the center of it, and press it in.

I haven't tried it yet, but I'm gathering all the info from several former threads.  Someone has pictures posted if that's helpful for you. The name of that thread is "Project Creep Part 3, head, gasket, thermostat bypass, clutch...."

My question is, what do I need to do to "press" the plug in?  Any special tool or process, or do I just use my thumb?!  The pics from the thread look like he has a brass ring around the plug... is that necessary?!

Lklemm1

Tap the metal plug in with a deep well socket the size of the plug. I doesn't take that much effort to drive the plug in. Then drill the hole in it. You don't have to press anything, it is very easy.

JasonNC

Thanks Iceblade.  Those pictures help a lot.  I purchased a set of seal installers are designed to be used on freeze plugs also.  Some people just use a socket that is slightly larger than the freeze plug itself. I have no idea if there is a brass ring involved in the process.  

Lee ODell

What appears as a brass ring is the edge of the freeze plug.

iceblade10

Lee, what an optical illusion!  I see now what you're talking about... 

So, the freeze plug is installed what I would have considered "upside down!"  (I have no idea which direction freeze plugs are installed in their "normal" use...)

iceblade10

Everything makes a lot more sense now...  I'm learning a lot from this forum!  LOL...

Ol racer

FYI
Its a piece of cake... Just Tap the cup style soft plug in. I put a little permatex around it. Dont need tap in too far. Its not my Idea, The' Hudson Boys in Pittsburgh' have used it for years... The Bleed hole is important but like I said earlier the T/STAT fits in a groove in the Goose neck so I glue the T/Stat into the Goose housing with the gasket upside down letting get tacky so dont slip out of place setting down onto the head... It runs little cooler Temp too.