Replacement thermostat housing?

[ba123]

Ahh, thanks, that makes sense. The 5.0 is aluminum. I don’t even remember what I did with my original bronco engine, let alone what the thermostat housing was.

 

[tirewater]

I can't say for sure since I did not re-read the thread, but I think the reasoning as stated here was simply that the OP wanted one more like original rather than the updated later model one that was obviously not stock.
One way to enhance the stock-ish look is to paint the aluminum blue like the engine. The originals were cast-iron up to a point at least (but probably all the way to '77?) and the aluminum sticks out like a sore thumb even to the non-expert. But to someone that knows, the extra threaded boss at the top is a giveaway that it's not original too.
All that said, if you have an aluminum intake manifold, then the whole top of the engine does not look original anymore and the aluminum thermostat housing is a better match to begin with.

Hopefully that's all they were talking about when saying the new one was not desirable for them.
If not, someone will correct me and clear it up.

Paul

For the later ('76/'77 - maybe '75) early broncos the thermostat had the threaded port for the ported vacuum switch that controlled distributor timing. So some EBs came stock with them.

Edit: I'm going to caveat that the 'full smog' equipped EBs. The non-CA may not have used the same thermostat.

 

[DirtDonk]

Makes sense. Thanks. It was still cast-iron, though, correct?

 

[tirewater]

Makes sense. Thanks. It was still cast-iron, though, correct?

I believe you're correct. Here's an iron one on a very stock looking engine bay:

 

[ba123]

For the later ('76/'77 - maybe '75) early broncos the thermostat had the threaded port for the ported vacuum switch that controlled distributor timing. So some EBs came stock with them.

Edit: I'm going to caveat that the 'full smog' equipped EBs. The non-CA may not have used the same thermostat.

I don’t understand…please explain so I get it. How do you get vacuum from a coolant port? I must be totally misunderstanding. Sorry if that’s a dumb question.

 

[DirtDonk]

It’s not that the vacuum comes from the coolant port. The component that threads into the hole is a thermostatically activated switching valve.
So vacuum from the intake goes to one port and then when the engine coolant reaches a certain temperature, the other port opens and vacuum is applied to whatever component the other hose is attached to.
In some cases the distributor advance.

There are also valves that are only open when it’s cold, and then close when the coolant warms up. Many different versions doing different jobs.
I think they are called TVS, or thermal vacuum switches.

 

[ba123]

Ahh, thanks!!! I knew I had to be missing something!

 

[LUBr LuvR]

I was wondering which is best as well as my 5.0 one doesn’t look good enough to put back on…was planning on ordering from rockauto and they had one from Four Seasons and Gates that I was torn between. Curious why to stay away from the one with the hole and curious who makes the Napa one.

They also have a Motorad one and another Motorad with integrated thermostat.

Was looking for the closest version to the original one on the rig, which did not have the port.

Can't believe it's this hard to get a good thermostat housing.

If only it wasn’t - Tale of two thermostat housings......

So actually ordered two housings for comparison. One was from NAPA and the other from a vendor that specializes in “Ford Restoration Parts”.

NAPA #605-1056, made in Mexico, $10.99
weight = 6-1/4 oz
seemed more substantial
threaded port
good depth in recess for thermostat

DC #C50Z-8592-A, made in China, $19.99
weight = 5 oz
Lighter weight
closed/no port
shallow/insufficient depth for thermostat to seat

Just my experience, but the NAPA part seemed to be higher quality, thermostat seated nicely below mounting surface and no leaks upon installation/trial run. Will give it a better test tomorrow out on the road. As high as the thermostat sat in the other housing, didn’t seem that it could properly seal.

Shows “made for Balkamp” on the box, but the smaller print Part #84831 cross references to Four Seasons. Only one symbol in the casting a “Q”? (pic 6)

As to the aluminum vs steel, last pic is the original that was removed. Aluminum & appears to be OEM.

That being said, if anyone has an extra OEM steel housing they would be willing to part with, please let me know. Would still prefer an original.

Thanks to all who offered links, parts, help and advice!

 

[raleigh_bronco]

Was looking for the closest version to the original one on the rig, which did not have the port.



If only it wasn’t - Tale of two thermostat housings......

So actually ordered two housings for comparison. One was from NAPA and the other from a vendor that specializes in “Ford Restoration Parts”.

NAPA #605-1056, made in Mexico, $10.99
weight = 6-1/4 oz
seemed more substantial
threaded port
good depth in recess for thermostat

DC #C50Z-8592-A, made in China, $19.99
weight = 5 oz
Lighter weight
closed/no port
shallow/insufficient depth for thermostat to seat

Just my experience, but the NAPA part seemed to be higher quality, thermostat seated nicely below mounting surface and no leaks upon installation/trial run. Will give it a better test tomorrow out on the road. As high as the thermostat sat in the other housing, didn’t seem that it could properly seal.

Shows “made for Balkamp” on the box, but the smaller print Part #84831 cross references to Four Seasons. Only one symbol in the casting a “Q”? (pic 6)

As to the aluminum vs steel, last pic is the original that was removed. Aluminum & appears to be OEM.

That being said, if anyone has an extra OEM steel housing they would be willing to part with, please let me know. Would still prefer an original.

Thanks to all who offered links, parts, help and advice!

Did you use the blue colored gasket maker on both sides of your gasket?

 

[NGABronco]

Mary, you're always chasing them unicorns!!!

 

[LUBr LuvR]

Did you use the blue colored gasket maker on both sides of your gasket?

With the number of times this was off chasing the leak with the old housing, was going thru gaskets like Mc Donald’s goes thru fries. Switched to the reusable Mr Gasket #737G (aluminum with silicone inserts) which is installed dry.

 

[LUBr LuvR]

Mary, you're always chasing them unicorns!!!

Thrill of the hunt Ben, lol. If something is impossible to find - my rig will need one. Got any avocado interior parts?

 

[ba123]

With the number of times this was off chasing the leak with the old housing, was going thru gaskets like Mc Donald’s goes thru fries. Switched to the reusable Mr Gasket #737G (aluminum with silicone inserts) which is installed dry.

I like that idea. I might have to go that route with my original water neck. All this talk of crappy necks is making my neck, I mean head, hurt.

 

[LUBr LuvR]

Well, 7 months later and another rig / another rodeo with coolant flush, replacing a thermostat and dealing with a housing. Going to do some work on the original housing, but needed to get the truck mobile, as it’s blocking the garage entrance.

So figured the last housing from NAPA worked just fine, would just pick one up as a temporary fix.......yeah, not any longer.

So officially taking back any positive comments about their Part #605-1056. It’s now made in China, and the bypass hole does not line up like the OEM. Either they’re not using the Four Seasons part, or Four Seasons has found a cheaper source. The previous part matched the profile of the manifold (and the reusable gasket) - this new one does not, and the casting is low quality.

Save yourself some trouble and steer clear.....

1st pic is OEM, others are the POS.

 

[73azbronco]

I believe you're correct. Here's an iron one on a very stock looking engine bay:

Nice, but your missing a belt!! I know, air pump

 

[gr8scott]

So officially taking back any positive comments about their Part #605-1056. It’s now made in China,

Yeah Chinese made parts are so sketchy these days. Here's one I picked up a few months ago as a spare. This one is made in Mexico.
Been using one for several years without issue. I run a temp sensor in the threaded port for a aftermarket gauge.

 

[LUBr LuvR]

Yeah Chinese made parts are so sketchy these days. Here's one I picked up a few months ago as a spare. This one is made in Mexico.
Been using one for several years without issue. I run a temp sensor in the threaded port for a aftermarket gauge.

View attachment 910983

The last one from NAPA (7 mos ago) that worked was made in Mexico, and much better quality. Does it have a “Q” on the underside of the bypass port?

Do you recall where you bought that one?

 

[tasker]

am I back on the hunt? I swear I have a couple used ones...

 

[ba123]

I got my Four Seasons one from Rockauto not long ago and holes lined up
https://www.rockauto.com/?carcode=1133985&parttype=10337

 

[blade]

I wonder when the switch was made to aluminum? I checked several water necks and the only one I have that is cast iron is the neck on my 64 Falcon. 68 mustang and 69 and 74 Bronco are all aluminum.