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Thermostat housing leaks #29412
09/01/06 05:28 PM
09/01/06 05:28 PM
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 26
Massillon, OH
smrcuda Offline OP
member
smrcuda  Offline OP
member

Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 26
Massillon, OH
I have a 340 small block and I can't seen to get the termostat housing to stop leaking. I have the mopar performace chrome housing on it now. I had the Summit racing one before that and it leak even worse. I have an LD 340 aluminum intake.
I sure someone out there has had the same problem. Can I get some ideas for a way to fix it?
Thanks Moparts

Last edited by smrcuda; 09/01/06 05:30 PM.
Re: Thermostat housing leaks [Re: smrcuda] #29413
09/01/06 05:34 PM
09/01/06 05:34 PM
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 96,649
On The Boat, On The Lake, Wa. ...
amxautox Offline
Still Retired. Still Posting on Moparts. A Lot.
amxautox  Offline
Still Retired. Still Posting on Moparts. A Lot.

Joined: May 2003
Posts: 96,649
On The Boat, On The Lake, Wa. ...
Oh so many threads on here about the bad chrome housings.

Ya gotta flatten and grind the bottom on a disc sander to get all the chrome off and make sure it's flat.

Then you have to throw it away and buy a good housing.

this one?



http://www.mopartsracing.com./parts/a.html


Tom

"Everyone should believe in something; I believe I'll go fishing."

-Henry David Thoreau

Men and fish are alike. They both get into trouble when they open their mouths

author unknown

Re: Thermostat housing leaks [Re: amxautox] #29414
09/01/06 05:38 PM
09/01/06 05:38 PM
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 25,050
Texas
GoodysGotaCuda Offline
5.7L Hemi, 6spd
GoodysGotaCuda  Offline
5.7L Hemi, 6spd

Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 25,050
Texas
Another chrome t-stat previous user. Toss it for a stock replacement.


1972 Barracuda - 5.7L Hemi, T56 Magnum 6spd - https://www.facebook.com/GoodysGotaHemi
2020 RAM 1500
[img]https://i.imgur.com/v9yezP9.jpg[/img]
Re: Thermostat housing leaks [Re: smrcuda] #29415
09/01/06 05:48 PM
09/01/06 05:48 PM
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 247
DuPont, Washington
D
DZJim Offline
enthusiast
DZJim  Offline
enthusiast
D

Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 247
DuPont, Washington
I got one at local parts place 4 Seasons brand, I believe. Heavy cast iron. Last forever. It will rust, so durable exterior coating of your choice before install. Also a gasket with stickum on one side, nothing on the (manifold side) other. Clean the manifold good, inspect for scratches, nicks, etc., install. Mines been off/on several times since, no leaks. Just remove the screws and give it a little tap and slide it off. No need to disturb hose. Set it aside.
More info than you needed. works for me. My $0.02 don't overtighten or unevenly.http://www.amazon.com/Four-Seasons-84830-Water-Outlet/dp/B000CNMZ2G/sr=1-3/qid=1157148629/ref=sr_1_3/002-4573578-6402439?ie=UTF8&m=ADG953YR6NRBF&s=automotive

Last edited by DZJim; 09/01/06 06:09 PM.
Re: Thermostat housing leaks [Re: amxautox] #29416
09/01/06 05:48 PM
09/01/06 05:48 PM

A
Anonymous
Unregistered
Anonymous
Unregistered
A



Most of the problems are due to poor installation and not the housings. There no need to grind the chrome off. What stops the leak is that after a few attempts, people get better at the installation. Drain the coolant and remove the housing. Check the housing and the manifold or water pump housing for those working on a big block or Hemi. If there is warping, use a file to striaghten the surfaces. Clean and dry everything with a solvent. Repeat the cleaning. MAke SURE there is NO coolant, water, oil or grease on any of the surfaces. The best results I have had is to not use a gasket. Using the gasket AND RTV will probably cause it to leak. RTV smeared on both sides of a gasket can cause the gasket to act like a wick, drawing coolant through itself. Apply a good RTV - The Right Stuff or Permatex Ultra Gray (my preference) to the mounting surface and assemble the housing and torque to spec. Don't wait for it to "skin" as that defeats purpose of the adhesive qualities of the RTV, kind of like letting paint dry in can before you spray it. LET IT CURE BEFORE REFILLING THE SYSTEM. Let the RTV cure for at least a few hours, preferably overnight. Recheck the torque and then fill the system. After running the car up to full temp and cooling down, recheck the torque. Recheck it after the first 2-3 uses fo the car and it should be fine. I've installed cheap chrome housings, stamped steel housings and high quality billet housings with no leaks.

Re: Thermostat housing leaks [Re: DZJim] #29417
09/01/06 06:52 PM
09/01/06 06:52 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 11,071
Berlin, N.J.
A
abodyjoe Offline
I Live Here
abodyjoe  Offline
I Live Here
A

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 11,071
Berlin, N.J.
everyone i know that has a chrome housing leaks..


It's better to keep your mouth shut and give the impression that you're stupid than to open it and remove all doubt.

www.MoparMisfits.com
Re: Thermostat housing leaks [Re: abodyjoe] #29418
09/01/06 07:01 PM
09/01/06 07:01 PM
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,220
toronto canada
69chargeryeehaa Offline
pro stock
69chargeryeehaa  Offline
pro stock

Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,220
toronto canada
Quote:

everyone i know that has a chrome housing leaks..




i have one that does'nt leak but it's not on the car!!!

i have yet to see one that does'nt leak either.

Re: Thermostat housing leaks [Re: 69chargeryeehaa] #29419
09/01/06 07:03 PM
09/01/06 07:03 PM
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 96,649
On The Boat, On The Lake, Wa. ...
amxautox Offline
Still Retired. Still Posting on Moparts. A Lot.
amxautox  Offline
Still Retired. Still Posting on Moparts. A Lot.

Joined: May 2003
Posts: 96,649
On The Boat, On The Lake, Wa. ...
Quote:

Quote:

everyone i know that has a chrome housing leaks..




i have one that does'nt leak but it's not on the car!!!

i have yet to see one that does'nt leak either.


So far mine doesn't leak, but I haven't been able to drive the car but twice since I put in the 340. Ball joints soon, then I can drive it. And it's a real thick base and I ground the bottom flat and I used sealer.


Tom

"Everyone should believe in something; I believe I'll go fishing."

-Henry David Thoreau

Men and fish are alike. They both get into trouble when they open their mouths

author unknown

Re: Thermostat housing leaks [Re: amxautox] #29420
09/01/06 07:27 PM
09/01/06 07:27 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 32,882
Grand Prairie,Texas
stumpy Offline
I Win
stumpy  Offline
I Win

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 32,882
Grand Prairie,Texas
Chrome thermo housings are crap and should never be used on a real car. The jap scraps can have my share.

Re: Thermostat housing leaks #29421
09/01/06 08:27 PM
09/01/06 08:27 PM
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,165
Left Coast
B
BobR Offline
master
BobR  Offline
master
B

Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,165
Left Coast
GregZ,

I appreciate you taking the time to post the correct way to install the housing. However, you can do all of that and it may still leak. Been there and done that. After my second installation leaked-using the same procedure you outlined almost to the word-I checked it carefully and found about 1/8 inch warpage. I put it on a belt sander, got it flat, then used a regular paper gasket and have not seen a drop of coolant since. -Bob

Re: Thermostat housing leaks [Re: BobR] #29422
09/01/06 09:15 PM
09/01/06 09:15 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 363
Richmond, TX
Sinister68 Offline
enthusiast
Sinister68  Offline
enthusiast

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 363
Richmond, TX
I had a Summit chrome thermostat housing that leaked. I bought a Mopar Performance chrome thermostat housing and the leak ceased. After a few measurements, I noticed that I must've over tightened the Summit housing causing it to warp. The new housing doesn't leak at all.


-James 2013 Challenger SRT 1968 Charger R/T
Re: Thermostat housing leaks [Re: BobR] #29423
09/03/06 09:35 AM
09/03/06 09:35 AM

A
Anonymous
Unregistered
Anonymous
Unregistered
A



Quote:

GregZ,

I appreciate you taking the time to post the correct way to install the housing. However, you can do all of that and it may still leak. Been there and done that. After my second installation leaked-using the same procedure you outlined almost to the word-I checked it carefully and found about 1/8 inch warpage. I put it on a belt sander, got it flat, then used a regular paper gasket and have not seen a drop of coolant since. -Bob





You must have missed this section above :
Quote:

Check the housing and the manifold or water pump housing for those working on a big block or Hemi. If there is warping, use a file to striaghten the surfaces.



Re: Thermostat housing leaks #29424
09/03/06 11:05 AM
09/03/06 11:05 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,435
So Cal
Sinitro Offline
master
Sinitro  Offline
master

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,435
So Cal
The problem with the chrome Mopar housing and leaks...
Is the cheapo chrome housing itself...
Looks nice but..
It is made out of very cheap, recycled material and as it heats up..
The base tends to warp and reshape it self..
Many say sand it..
Put beads of RTV..
Torque it down titer..
But in the end..
They still leak in the majority of installs..

Chuck it into the dumpster replace with a stocker...
Or get one of the better stainless aftermarket ones..

Re: Thermostat housing leaks [Re: Sinitro] #29425
09/03/06 01:46 PM
09/03/06 01:46 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,866
N. of 8mile, S. of heaven
Spike Offline
Go Blue!!
Spike  Offline
Go Blue!!

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,866
N. of 8mile, S. of heaven
I have put several of them on a lathe and cut them true, one was off .060. Then I have had to cut the recess for the thermostat a little deeper. After this they don't leak. The bottom surface of those chrome housings are no where near flat.

Re: Thermostat housing leaks [Re: Spike] #29426
09/03/06 02:11 PM
09/03/06 02:11 PM
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,884
Michigan
MNobody Offline
master
MNobody  Offline
master

Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,884
Michigan
I've ground em flat, i've filed the intake flat, i've sealed em and i've not sealed em. 2 different chrome housings and both leaked. had a nice cast one shipped from China no more leaky. painted it with high temp chrome paint i've had since the 80's

Re: Thermostat housing leaks [Re: MNobody] #29427
09/03/06 02:26 PM
09/03/06 02:26 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,819
Central New Jersey
Ira Offline
super gas
Ira  Offline
super gas

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,819
Central New Jersey
I just use 2 gaskets, its easy, cheap and effective

no more leaks and no more of this:

Re: Thermostat housing leaks [Re: Ira] #29428
09/03/06 02:56 PM
09/03/06 02:56 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,587
St. John's Newfoundland
440newport Offline
master
440newport  Offline
master

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,587
St. John's Newfoundland
I'm not sure who made it, but I have a heavy chrome water neck that seals with an O-ring instead of a gasket. When I first assembled the motor it didn't have a thermostat in it, but when I went to put one in a while ago I noticed the neck doesn't have a receiver groove in it for the T-stat..I put it together anyway and it leaked like crazy, so then I cut the edge of the T-stat and sealed it with some crappy clear silicone (all I had at the time). It doesn't leak now, but i'm worried the silicone will blow out and make a real mess...I think what i'll do is sandwich the T-stat between 2 gaskets instead maybe?

Re: Thermostat housing leaks [Re: 440newport] #29429
09/03/06 03:03 PM
09/03/06 03:03 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,819
Central New Jersey
Ira Offline
super gas
Ira  Offline
super gas

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,819
Central New Jersey
the ones I've used 2 gaskets on were Mopar and MrGasket, both had the recess for the thermostat,

I've not tried it with one of the O-ring type, not sure if it'll work on them or not

Re: Thermostat housing leaks [Re: Spike] #29430
09/03/06 03:09 PM
09/03/06 03:09 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,435
So Cal
Sinitro Offline
master
Sinitro  Offline
master

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,435
So Cal
Quote:

I have put several of them on a lathe and cut them true, one was off .060. Then I have had to cut the recess for the thermostat a little deeper. After this they don't leak. The bottom surface of those chrome housings are no where near flat.




I was talking to the guys @ PAW, they advised they run about a 50% return rate on the chrome junker..

We too have tried cutting these down on lathe but they seal better but still leak..
But seems kind of funny..
Buy a new part and then have to machine it..
To me not worth the trouble, I run the original Mopar stocker.. No leaks..

In the junk box I still have a couple of chrome junkers.. If anyone wants one..
N/C and will pay the postage.. PM me..

To me it is very sad...
That Mopar chooses to outsource most of its performance stuff compared to years in the past..
Today the quality is gone..
Rockers by Crane..
Cranks by China & Scat..
Leaf springs by Mexico..







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