Easy Thermostat question?

I'm putting a 180 degree thermostat on my 73 302 and was wondering which way the thermostat goes into the engine. It looks like it will fit both ways and I don't want to mess it up.

Also, Is it normal for the engine to lose a lot of coolant. It always seems like I'm filling the radiator back up.

Thanks, Jonathan

 

it is possible to put them in upside down. i have done it.just check the direction that it opens and install accordingly.
i don't know about your engine but mine does not lose coolant unless there is a problem.what got you to replace the therm? was it running hot? if it is getting to hot and you are losing coolant have you checked for a blown head gasket? mine was overheating and i could not figure out why until i had the radiator checked for exaust gasses and discovered i was blowing exaust fumes back into my cooling system.

 

the spring end goes into intake manifold

 

Thanks,

That's what I was needing. Also, is it normal for the radiator to be soaked with coolant on the fins? I plan on replacing the radiator with a 3 core as soon as I get the money saved up, but that may take a little while.(Poor college student woes).

Thanks,
Jonathan

 

no, not normal. that might be where you are losing coolant. the fins should be dry

 

no coolant should be on the exterior of radiator fins, must be leaking

 

I've got one more question. I was checking the lower radiator hose and it seems there are chunks of something in the lower radiator hose. Is this normal?
This is my first maverick so I'm kinda new to old cars. Thanks for all the help. Jonathan

 

Chunks are normal, but not good. Also, radiators are supposed to be wet on one side...the inside

Take out the thermostat, flush the radiator, and get the chunks out. Catch them and see what they are. Hopefully, just rust or calcium, and small in size. Anything larger than a brick and you have problems.

I have heard that for small leaks, you can use coarse-ground black pepper (seriously, this time. I have used it!) or you can buy a copper colored leak fixer from Wal-mart or auto parts store. These are band-aid fixes for a serious problem, though. I used the pepper just to get home from the grocery store, since that was where I sprung my leak.

While you are at it, if there is gunk and chunk in there, you probably need new hoses. If chunks are not rust or calcium, you may have blades broken off the impeller of your water pump.

Lots of things to look for.

 

Turns out the chunks I was feeling was the spring inside the hose. I cleaned out the hose and it looks stable. I filled the radiator and the engine is running great. I'll get some stop leak and hopefully that will slow the leak while I save for a new radiator.

Thanks,
Jonathan

 

Install the new thermo with spring inside the manifold, closest to the block when done.

First, and foremost, flush out that cooling system.

I should know, I have done many flushes, and even burned the radiator out with sulfuric acid, which is not recommended, to get the calcium deposits off the interior surfaces. I don't have leaks, though. If I did, I would never fill it with acid and increase the leaks.

Read some of my recent threads regarding overheating.

 

if you want to take the time, put distilled water in your radiator and you will almost eliminate all that calcium build up and keep your cooling system in better shape for a long time. most folks just the garden hose and thats ok but to do it right use distilled water.

 

Distilled water will rust your block way faster then then tap water.