Thermostat for 308

Edwardjohnsr
Edwardjohnsr Expert Adviser
edited November -1 in HUDSON
Does anyone sell the correct bypass thermostat for the 308. I have found several crosses to equivalent thermostats but they just don't appear to be the same as the picture in the manual.

Ed

Comments

  • Ed - Remove the therm. housing. Plug the bypass hole with a "freeze" plug. Drill a 1/8" hole in the "freeze" plug. Go to an auto parts store and get a modern therm. to fit the housing. A while back I put a "new old stock" therm. in a 308 that I had tested in hot water. About a month later it stuck closed causing a overheating problem. I will never use a "new old stock" therm. again. Norm;)
  • dave s
    dave s Senior Contributor, Moderator
    Dave Kostansek- member- supplier of fuel pumps, water pumps, brake parts, seals, carbs, hoses, thermostats, gaskets, ignition, electrical for most year HET cars. Dave Kostansek, 7902 Route 7, Williamsfield, Ohio 44093 (440) 293-4079, until 10 p.m. EST



    Picture shows what he was refering to with freeze plug in bypass.
  • J Spencer
    J Spencer Expert Adviser
    herm wrote:
    Ed - Remove the therm. housing. Plug the bypass hole with a "freeze" plug. Drill a 1/8" hole in the "freeze" plug. Go to an auto parts store and get a modern therm. to fit the housing. A while back I put a "new old stock" therm. in a 308 that I had tested in hot water. About a month later it stuck closed causing a overheating problem. I will never use a "new old stock" therm. again. Norm;)





    MOPAR thermostats from 60's, 70's V'8s (318CI etc) work. Stant #'s 13076, 13476. Why not just make a gasket the covers the bypass hole in the housing. When I first got my 51 Pacemaker (20 years ago) someone had put piece of wood in the oblong hole with the MOPAR 'stat. worked great! I have a factory 'stat in it now and still fine.



    Is there a reason for the plug with hole?, like maybe to recirculate a small portion of coolant or to act as an air bleed?



    Jim Spencer
  • Edwardjohnsr
    Edwardjohnsr Expert Adviser
    Thanks for all the input and suggestions about blocking off the bypass. However, I'm a little confused about using a "modern" thermostat. If the temperature is cold, I assume the thermostat will completely block off the flow of water. It seems like the water pump would then be pushing against a dead ended path. What am I missing?

    Ed
  • Edwardjohnsr wrote:
    Thanks for all the input and suggestions about blocking off the bypass. However, I'm a little confused about using a "modern" thermostat. If the temperature is cold, I assume the thermostat will completely block off the flow of water. It seems like the water pump would then be pushing against a dead ended path. What am I missing?

    Ed

    No need to drill a hole in the plug. But be sure to drill about a 1/8 hole in the thermostat so some water can get through it. I cut a gasket from .015 brass shim stock and place between the thermo houseing and head instead of useing the freeze plug.
  • J Spencer
    J Spencer Expert Adviser
    Edwardjohnsr wrote:
    Thanks for all the input and suggestions about blocking off the bypass. However, I'm a little confused about using a "modern" thermostat. If the temperature is cold, I assume the thermostat will completely block off the flow of water. It seems like the water pump would then be pushing against a dead ended path. What am I missing?

    Ed



    as the coolant heats up it will act on the stat, it will open it and flow through the normal opening to the radiator. When the ( origanal style) stat opens hot it closes off the by-pass section of the housing, thereby flowing through the normal passage.



    As i stated I ran my Pacemaker on the modern stat for about ten years. Always ran just about or below halfway mark on temp gauge ( 160 degree stat)..





    Jim
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