Temporary Failure - Thermostat kit

[Deleted User]
[Deleted User]
edited November -1 in HUDSON
Walt's directions were good, but my execution poor, and I paid for it. After breaking the original, I bought a new one from Walt and am hoping to successfully install today.

Comments

  • nick s
    nick s Senior Contributor
    use a little of your gasket sealer on the flange of the thermostat and stick it in the gooseneck. that way it will stay seated while you are drawing everything tight. The gooseneck fange cracks like yours did when the thermostat slips out of its counterbore and doesn't allow allow the casting to drawn down flat.
  • Jon B
    Jon B Administrator
    As you attend more and more Hudson flea markets, you will see lots of reasonably priced items like the gooseneck, and you can pick them up and put 'em in the "box o' spares" that you will learn to carry in your trunk. Like the Boy Scouts, we Hudson drivers need to Be Prepared!
  • Aaron D. IL
    Aaron D. IL Senior Contributor
    I never understood why Hudson only used 2 bolts to hold on the thermostat housing when they used like 4 to hold on everything else. Shoulda had at least 3. Anyways.... there is a certain filler rod you could use if you really wanna repair it. otherwise you have to go fish.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Aaron D. IL wrote:
    there is a certain filler rod you could use if you really wanna repair it



    Can you tell me more? I have a new (used) one ready to install, but the one I broke is actually in very good shape and if it is reasonable I would like to repair it.
  • Aaron D. IL
    Aaron D. IL Senior Contributor
    mjsandbe wrote:
    Can you tell me more? I have a new (used) one ready to install, but the one I broke is actually in very good shape and if it is reasonable I would like to repair it.



    This stuff is supposed to be good. I've used their aluminum rods before.



    http://www.aluminumrepair.com/hts528.asp
  • hudsontech
    hudsontech Senior Contributor
    Looking at that broken ear picture I can tell you that sure looks familiar to me!!!! :D I'd be reasonably well off if I had a dollar for every one of those I've broken off over the years.



    Nothing sounds like the knell of doom when you're tightening the bolts and you hear that crack. I think some of our neighborhood kids learned some new and interesting words. LOL



    Hudsonly,

    Alex Burr

    Memphis, TN
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    The replacement I bought from walt already has the bypass passage removed, so I will not be using the plate pictured and only need one gasket. Using the origional bolts, what sould I torque it down to?
  • RL Chilton
    RL Chilton Administrator, Member
    Michael-

    I don't think the manual specifies, but you don't really want to torque the hell out of those bolts . . . like 25 ft/lbs. or so. If you stretch out your gasket sealant too much (too thin), it's less likely to seal real well.

    Mainly, more than torque-pressure, either use two lock washers or use flat washers with loc-tite on the threads of your bolts, to remove any chance of the bolts backing themselves back out. Also, good idea to try and tighten both bolts a little at a time . . . less likely to break a housing. When finished, gasket sealant should be 1/32" to 1/16" thick after compression.

    Don't install thermostat upside down!!
  • hudsontech
    hudsontech Senior Contributor
    RL Chilton wrote:
    Michael-



    Don't install thermostat upside down!!





    Done that once, too way, waaaaay back in the day - but I can't remember now if it was before - or after - we finished a couple 6 packs.



    I tend to think it was after.



    Hudsonly,

    Alex Burr

    Memphis, TN

    hetclub.org/burr
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Walt kindly wrote "UP" on the side of the thermostat that needs to go in the housing. I glued that in yesterday and I am going to head out to Napa today to try and find some gold engine paint. The replacement housing came in grey primer and I would like to make it gold before bolting it on.
  • RL Chilton
    RL Chilton Administrator, Member
    mjsandbe wrote:
    Walt kindly wrote "UP" on the side of the thermostat that needs to go in the housing. I glued that in yesterday and I am going to head out to Napa today to try and find some gold engine paint. The replacement housing came in grey primer and I would like to make it gold before bolting it on.

    Best color I've found is Dupli-color, Universal Gold. Rumor has it that it might be discontinued, so never hurts to get a few cans and have it on hand.
  • SuperDave
    SuperDave Senior Contributor
    Something to remember when replacing a thermostat housing on most all cars... Make sure you use the correct bolts, so that the bolts do not extend down into the waterjacket area. Rust will build up on the exposed threads and might cause the bolt to freeze in the threads the next time the bolts are removed..Not much fun to remove broken bolts..:mad:
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