The Ford Barn

tubman · 01-20-2018, 08:35 AM

This one has got to be so obvious that I can't believe I didn't think of it earlier. Until the advent of self-adhesive 8BA thermostat gaskets, I always had a hard time getting the housings and thermostats lined up properly on the heads. I even broke an "ear" off of a thermostat housing once. The last time I went to my FLAPS, I found they no longer carry the self-adhesive gaskets. I thought I'd try to glue the actual thermostats to the housings with two tiny dabs of glue and let them sit overnight. The next morning, everything went together like a charm, and no leaks. Simple but effective.

flatford8 · 01-20-2018, 09:33 AM

I’ve used a little red silicone for years now..... Mark

paul2748 · 01-20-2018, 10:43 PM

One solution to line up everything is to put in studs - either as a permanent solution or just to line things up as they are put together and them removing them one at a time and replacing them with the proper bolts.

Anything aluminum I use studs as a permanent fix so threads are not stripped by removing and replacing bolts (intakes, starter when mounted on an aluminum bellhousing). I also use studs for things like thermostat housings where you have a gasket, thermostat and housing to line up. Just makes it easier.

corvette8n · 01-21-2018, 06:36 AM

When I had my '50 I also had that problem, that's when my Dad introduced me to "Indian Head gasket shellac" my NAPA carries it, and there is always a bottle of it on my workbench.

ct1932ford · 01-21-2018, 10:55 AM

I use Permatex High Tack gasket sealant. It stays where you put it and does not get hard.

tubman · 01-21-2018, 11:07 AM

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I dunno; the gasket sealer stuff (Indian Head, silicon, Permatex, etc.) always slid around on me. I must be kind of a klutz. And since the recess the thermostat has to fit into is in the thermostat housing, not the head, gravity works against you, so studs were no help (at least to me). I know, I have them so I can use the shiny acorn nuts to hold down the polished aluminum thermostat housings. I had to be careful to get the studs the right length, though. I guess this is a perfect example of "to each, his own".

Doesn't that Indian Head shellac have the "show polish" type dauber in the cap? I have some and it looks like there is more on the outside of the bottle than the inside.

paul2748 · 01-21-2018, 08:18 PM

There is a little "trick" in holding the thermostat in the housing at any angle with a rubber band and no stickum

Brian · 01-21-2018, 08:27 PM

Two little drops of superglue will hold the thermostat into the housing recess in order to assemble

40cpe · 01-21-2018, 09:21 PM

I, too, broke a housing trying to install a thermostat with the upper hose connected. On the next one I disconnected the hose from the housing. After installing the housing and thermostat finger tight I could reach in the top of the housing with my finger. If the thermostat in in the groove it will move freely with the finger. If not, you can slide it into position and then finish tightening the housing.

corvette8n · 01-22-2018, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubman

Doesn't that Indian Head shellac have the "show polish" type dauber in the cap? I have some and it looks like there is more on the outside of the bottle than the inside.

You're right, that's how they get you to buy more lol. Besides I like the logo,especially on the older bottles.

01-20-2018, 08:35 AM	#1
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,319	Obvious handy hint This one has got to be so obvious that I can't believe I didn't think of it earlier. Until the advent of self-adhesive 8BA thermostat gaskets, I always had a hard time getting the housings and thermostats lined up properly on the heads. I even broke an "ear" off of a thermostat housing once. The last time I went to my FLAPS, I found they no longer carry the self-adhesive gaskets. I thought I'd try to glue the actual thermostats to the housings with two tiny dabs of glue and let them sit overnight. The next morning, everything went together like a charm, and no leaks. Simple but effective.

01-20-2018, 09:33 AM	#2
flatford8 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Lyman,ME. Posts: 2,630	Re: Obvious handy hint I’ve used a little red silicone for years now..... Mark __________________ I'm thinkin' about crankin' My ragged ol' truck up and haulin' myself into town. Billy Joe Shaver

01-20-2018, 10:43 PM	#3
paul2748 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Midland Park, NJ Posts: 3,982	Re: Obvious handy hint One solution to line up everything is to put in studs - either as a permanent solution or just to line things up as they are put together and them removing them one at a time and replacing them with the proper bolts. Anything aluminum I use studs as a permanent fix so threads are not stripped by removing and replacing bolts (intakes, starter when mounted on an aluminum bellhousing). I also use studs for things like thermostat housings where you have a gasket, thermostat and housing to line up. Just makes it easier. __________________ 48 Ford Conv 56 Tbird 54 Ford Victoria

01-21-2018, 06:36 AM	#4
corvette8n Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: 36 miles north of Albany NY Posts: 2,950	Re: Obvious handy hint When I had my '50 I also had that problem, that's when my Dad introduced me to "Indian Head gasket shellac" my NAPA carries it, and there is always a bottle of it on my workbench.

01-21-2018, 10:55 AM	#5
ct1932ford Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: CT. Posts: 596	Re: Obvious handy hint I use Permatex High Tack gasket sealant. It stays where you put it and does not get hard. __________________ A man should do what he thinks best! "The Duke"

01-21-2018, 11:07 AM	#6
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,319	Re: Obvious handy hint Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I dunno; the gasket sealer stuff (Indian Head, silicon, Permatex, etc.) always slid around on me. I must be kind of a klutz. And since the recess the thermostat has to fit into is in the thermostat housing, not the head, gravity works against you, so studs were no help (at least to me). I know, I have them so I can use the shiny acorn nuts to hold down the polished aluminum thermostat housings. I had to be careful to get the studs the right length, though. I guess this is a perfect example of "to each, his own". Doesn't that Indian Head shellac have the "show polish" type dauber in the cap? I have some and it looks like there is more on the outside of the bottle than the inside.

01-21-2018, 08:18 PM	#7
paul2748 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Midland Park, NJ Posts: 3,982	Re: Obvious handy hint There is a little "trick" in holding the thermostat in the housing at any angle with a rubber band and no stickum __________________ 48 Ford Conv 56 Tbird 54 Ford Victoria

01-21-2018, 08:27 PM	#8
Brian Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Masterton, New Zealand Posts: 3,834	Re: Obvious handy hint Two little drops of superglue will hold the thermostat into the housing recess in order to assemble __________________ Unfortunately, two half wits don't make a whole wit!

01-21-2018, 09:21 PM	#9
40cpe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Star, MS Posts: 4,024	Re: Obvious handy hint I, too, broke a housing trying to install a thermostat with the upper hose connected. On the next one I disconnected the hose from the housing. After installing the housing and thermostat finger tight I could reach in the top of the housing with my finger. If the thermostat in in the groove it will move freely with the finger. If not, you can slide it into position and then finish tightening the housing.