The Ford Barn

jayg48anglia · 10-10-2023, 03:21 AM

I decided to give my 29 a treat and give it new hoses, water pipe, and a 160 degree thermostat. The question is does the stat go close to the radiator or the water neck on the block and why. My thoughts are it should be close to the block as that is where the heat is generated. THX. Jay

nkaminar · 10-10-2023, 06:37 AM

Close to the block. There is still some distance between the thermostat and the head so drill the little hole larger, about 1/4 inch. That will provide enough coolant flow to help sense the coolant temperature in the head and provide a more accurate thermostat operation. These thermostats were designed to mount in the head of a more modern engine.

Bob Bidonde · 10-10-2023, 08:48 AM

The location of a thermostat in the upper hose makes no difference unless you have a temperature gauge sensor in the hose. Then the thermostat should be above the sensor. Also make sure the thermostat is facing in the correct direction.
The sketch shows the direction of the thermostat. Disregard the other text in the sketch because it is obsolete.

jayg48anglia · 10-10-2023, 09:49 AM

So the slug as I call it is on the engine faces the engine.

Randall · 10-10-2023, 11:30 AM

Yes and best way i've found to install https://youtu.be/67S-BIYg_co?si=4A0xB3QtDWG_xaSu

JayJay · 10-10-2023, 01:37 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

The Vintage Precision thermostat housing, although a bit pricey, is a wonderful device and puts the thermostat right where it belongs - in the head. Also makes it impossible to break the ears on the upper gooseneck when torquing the head.

Gene F · 10-10-2023, 01:47 PM

Bob putting that old piece of lower hose in the I.D. of the upper hose is a pretty slick idea. I don't know about gluing it though.

Ivan in southeast va. · 10-10-2023, 03:14 PM

I place the thermostat in the middle and hold it in place with a hose clamp.

Big hammer · 10-10-2023, 05:25 PM

I slid in two plastic pipe couplings on top of the thermostat and one extra hole the same size that came with the thermostat

10-10-2023, 03:21 AM	#1
jayg48anglia Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Ocala, Florida Posts: 33	29 Thermostat Placement I decided to give my 29 a treat and give it new hoses, water pipe, and a 160 degree thermostat. The question is does the stat go close to the radiator or the water neck on the block and why. My thoughts are it should be close to the block as that is where the heat is generated. THX. Jay

10-10-2023, 06:37 AM	#2
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 4,002	Re: 29 Thermostat Placement Close to the block. There is still some distance between the thermostat and the head so drill the little hole larger, about 1/4 inch. That will provide enough coolant flow to help sense the coolant temperature in the head and provide a more accurate thermostat operation. These thermostats were designed to mount in the head of a more modern engine. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

10-10-2023, 09:49 AM	#4
jayg48anglia Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Ocala, Florida Posts: 33	Re: 29 Thermostat Placement So the slug as I call it is on the engine faces the engine.

10-10-2023, 11:30 AM	#5
Randall Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Lambsburg Va Posts: 303	Re: 29 Thermostat Placement Yes and best way i've found to install https://youtu.be/67S-BIYg_co?si=4A0xB3QtDWG_xaSu

10-10-2023, 01:37 PM	#6
JayJay Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 1,131	Re: 29 Thermostat Placement Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) The Vintage Precision thermostat housing, although a bit pricey, is a wonderful device and puts the thermostat right where it belongs - in the head. Also makes it impossible to break the ears on the upper gooseneck when torquing the head. __________________ JayJay San Francisco Bay Area ------------------------ 1930 Murray Town Sedan 1931 Briggs S/W Town Sedan Last edited by JayJay; 10-10-2023 at 01:49 PM.

10-10-2023, 01:47 PM	#7
Gene F Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,010	Re: 29 Thermostat Placement Bob putting that old piece of lower hose in the I.D. of the upper hose is a pretty slick idea. I don't know about gluing it though.

10-10-2023, 05:25 PM	#9
Big hammer Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Land of Lincoln Posts: 3,151	Re: 29 Thermostat Placement I slid in two plastic pipe couplings on top of the thermostat and one extra hole the same size that came with the thermostat __________________ Don't force it with a little hammer tap, tap, tap get a bigger hammer tap done