Posted By: smrcuda
Thermostat housing leaks - 09/01/06 09:28 PM
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
Posted By: amxautox
Re: Thermostat housing leaks - 09/01/06 09:34 PM
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
Posted By: GoodysGotaCuda
Re: Thermostat housing leaks - 09/01/06 09:38 PM
Another chrome t-stat previous user. Toss it for a stock replacement.
Posted By: DZJim
Re: Thermostat housing leaks - 09/01/06 09:48 PM
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
Posted By: Anonymous
Re: Thermostat housing leaks - 09/01/06 09:48 PM
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.
Posted By: abodyjoe
Re: Thermostat housing leaks - 09/01/06 10:52 PM
everyone i know that has a chrome housing leaks..
Posted By: stumpy
Re: Thermostat housing leaks - 09/01/06 11:27 PM
Chrome thermo housings are crap and should never be used on a real car. The jap scraps can have my share.
Posted By: BobR
Re: Thermostat housing leaks - 09/02/06 12:27 AM
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
Posted By: Sinister68
Re: Thermostat housing leaks - 09/02/06 01:15 AM
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.
Posted By: Anonymous
Re: Thermostat housing leaks - 09/03/06 01:35 PM
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.
Posted By: Sinitro
Re: Thermostat housing leaks - 09/03/06 03:05 PM
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..
Posted By: Spike
Re: Thermostat housing leaks - 09/03/06 05:46 PM
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.
Posted By: MNobody
Re: Thermostat housing leaks - 09/03/06 06:11 PM
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
Posted By: Ira
Re: Thermostat housing leaks - 09/03/06 06:26 PM
I just use 2 gaskets, its easy, cheap and effective
no more leaks and no more of this:
Posted By: 440newport
Re: Thermostat housing leaks - 09/03/06 06:56 PM
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?
Posted By: Ira
Re: Thermostat housing leaks - 09/03/06 07:03 PM
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
