A really stupid question re my thermostat

[dzyfngrs]

No. I am not a mechanic. I tinker on my '79 Spider 2000 with lots of my buddies and just a few beers. It's a fun way to spend the afternoon. So last week after noticing that my baby was riding hot (between 190 and 220), I ordered a new thermostat and we installed it. Except for "drilling the 1/8 inch hole" thing which I only read about this evening in this forum, I though we were pretty thorough in "bleeding" the coolant. Tonight on a wonderful ride in the cool breeze, the needle spiked at 220 several times before falling down abruptly to about 200. So much for the ride. Back home we went.

So before we review the "put that hole in the stat" thing, I have a really stupid question to ask. Did I put the stat in correctly? I'm confused so I'm including a few pics. There's a flat shoulder on the stat. It's now leading to the top hose. Should I have twirled it and made it lead to the block? If it's on correctly, back to the bleeding I'll go.

Guys don't laugh. I love my baby girl and I don't want to ruin her.

[So Cal Mark]

it's in wrong. One leg of the stat looks like it was machined, that leg goes toward the water pump

[dzyfngrs]

Gal darn it to heck. Thanks, Mark. I found a picture of the correct installation in this forum. Guess what I'm doing tomorrow night!

Here's how it should be installed, right? I basically have it in upside down. The 1/8" hole is still recommended, correct?
Let me know.

[mdrburchette]

I've never had a problem with bleeding the system that would warrant drilling a hole in the thermostat.

[rlux4]

You must be living right Denise. I could not get the system full until I drilled the hole. And believe me, I followed every tech instruction I could find. What I did find in my search is that it makes a difference what brand of stat you use. Mine was so airtight when closed the coolant could not fill the bottom hose all the way up to the stat. The hole allowed two things: coolant to fill from the top, and an escape for trapped air that wants to rise. If air is in that cavity with out the hole, it has nowhere to go because it's on a high side of a "U".
Ron

[mbouse]

hey! that is a great lookin engine bay with the thermostat correctly installed !!

i gotta remember to get some crackle paint and copy what that obviously superior individiual has done with his cam covers, T-belt cover, heat shield, and fan bracket !!


and, i have never drilled a hole in a Fiat T-stat either. burping procedures are easier perfomed by the addition of the flush t-fitting. Besides, i hear that it takes roughly 3-4 HF drill bits to accomplish that task anyway.

[So Cal Mark]

from that photo of an anonymous engine bay I can deduce; the owner is color blind, the plug wires don't match the exterior or underhood colors, the fan is RED, someone applied a layer of tar to the cam covers

[mbouse]

hey, this is a family forum. watch those words, Mark! (deduce)

[So Cal Mark]

I'm just quoting Vinnie when he saw the 32 Ford, " hey, is dat da duece?"

[dzyfngrs]

Uhm...back to subject. Last night I reinstalled the stat and rebled the hoses. After a 25 mile ride the needle never went past 190. I'm happy. Also, FYI, the stat I bought from IAP ALREADY had a drilled out hole. Thanks again everyone.

[So Cal Mark]

thx for the update, congrats on getting it sorted

[nicktheviking]

Hey you have the same cheesy yellow timing belt cover I do! Snap!

[mdrburchette]

Also, FYI, the stat I bought from IAP ALREADY had a drilled out hole. Thanks again everyone.

Hmmm, maybe why I never had a problem bleeding the system.

[rlux4]

All right! Now I don't feel like a lone voice, crying out in the wilderness.
Ron

[So Cal Mark]

Ron, you are a lone voice out in the desert. But, I've been drilling holes in stats for years