Plastic thermostat housing
#21
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jj,
Yes, that is true, they did use bakelite in that role, and even then it did develop radial cracks through shrinkage from the sun coming through the windows/windscreen. It did take a long time, agreed. They also used it for dashboards and all kinds of other fittings such as knobs etc. But the temperature experienced under those conditions doesn't come close to comparable with down in the valley of a working engine. It's almost like one side of Mercury to the other.
I'd need to confirm, but I think it applies to all Ford derived V8's as well as V6's from the Durotec famiuly (now there is an oxymoron - "Durotec"?) For the record, any Ford/Jaguar V8 before April 2000 has Nikasil coatings in the cylinders, and be careful of any engines replaced under warranty over the next year - they were trying to get rid of any Nikasil engines still 'on the shelf'.
Cheers,
Languid
Yes, that is true, they did use bakelite in that role, and even then it did develop radial cracks through shrinkage from the sun coming through the windows/windscreen. It did take a long time, agreed. They also used it for dashboards and all kinds of other fittings such as knobs etc. But the temperature experienced under those conditions doesn't come close to comparable with down in the valley of a working engine. It's almost like one side of Mercury to the other.
I'd need to confirm, but I think it applies to all Ford derived V8's as well as V6's from the Durotec famiuly (now there is an oxymoron - "Durotec"?) For the record, any Ford/Jaguar V8 before April 2000 has Nikasil coatings in the cylinders, and be careful of any engines replaced under warranty over the next year - they were trying to get rid of any Nikasil engines still 'on the shelf'.
Cheers,
Languid
#22
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Gang;
Great posts and info.
My question is does this plastic/Bakelite thermostat and housing apply only to 4.0 engines or to the 4.2 series as well?
And should I be concerned and looking for this on my '04 XKR?
FYI Many early cars had Bakelite steering wheels and components.
cheers,
jj
Great posts and info.
My question is does this plastic/Bakelite thermostat and housing apply only to 4.0 engines or to the 4.2 series as well?
And should I be concerned and looking for this on my '04 XKR?
FYI Many early cars had Bakelite steering wheels and components.
cheers,
jj
Yes bakelite is even in my 1931 Ford.
#24
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EZDriver (12-29-2011)
#25
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Just changed the plastic with aluminum on my 2000 xj8L. Not too bad a job, except 2 back bolts. To get the original ones out, I used a dremel to cut a slot in the hex head and used a large screwdriver to remove. When I installed the aluminum I replaced the hex head bolts with socket head cap screws and a metric hex ball driver to tighten them. The hex ball driver will operate at quite an angle and makes the back bolts a breeze. Also if ever removed again, no problem. Good Luck.
H2 solutions
H2 solutions
The following 2 users liked this post by h2solutions:
Abby's Guy (04-08-2012),
EZDriver (12-29-2011)
#26
#27
#29
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Just replaced mine on the 03 vdp.
Was quite a job, had to chop off the old one.
Rounded one of the 8mm bolts on the housing.
Anyone know where I can find these bolts? Not even sure of the size.
I did find a tip on replacement.
Use the shorter ones from the water manifold on the rear housing and the long ones from the housing on the water manifold.
tia
Was quite a job, had to chop off the old one.
Rounded one of the 8mm bolts on the housing.
Anyone know where I can find these bolts? Not even sure of the size.
I did find a tip on replacement.
Use the shorter ones from the water manifold on the rear housing and the long ones from the housing on the water manifold.
tia
#31
#32
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Could not get a crows foot to work bolts where slightly rounded. Bent 2 8 mm wrenches flat and box end. Added a piece of key stock/ square stock to the bent wrench and made long enough to clear the top of the tower. Turned the key stock with a 10 mm wrench. Crows foot was so wide i could only get a 1/16 turn, with the home made wrench 1/4 to 1/2 turn. made life easier. Jim
#34
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I've got the slow leak issue on my 2002 XK8. My dependable local mechanic is recommending replacing the thermostat as long as he is changing out the old plastic housing. I would like to avoid spending money where I don't have to. Am I being short sighted? The car has 77,000 miles on it and the thermostat is most likely original since I bought the car with 39,000 miles on it several years ago.
Thanks!
Thanks!
#35
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#37
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Graham
#38
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#39
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This is what I used when I upgraded my thermostat housing to aluminum - easier to use than the crows foot, bent crows foot, etc - no manipulation to the bolt is needed and no worries about rounding off the bolt...
GearWrench 9908 8mm Flex-Head Combination Ratcheting Wrench - Amazon.com
GearWrench 9908 8mm Flex-Head Combination Ratcheting Wrench - Amazon.com
Looks interesting, you were actually able to get that around the bolt and clear the intake?
#40
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This is what I used when I upgraded my thermostat housing to aluminum - easier to use than the crows foot, bent crows foot, etc - no manipulation to the bolt is needed and no worries about rounding off the bolt...
GearWrench 9908 8mm Flex-Head Combination Ratcheting Wrench - Amazon.com
GearWrench 9908 8mm Flex-Head Combination Ratcheting Wrench - Amazon.com
TITAN 12808 8 MM FLEX HEAD RATCHETING WRENCH | eBay