thermostat housing orientation

[deacon]

I have replaced my thermostat and hoses on m 78". I do not seem to be getting flow thru the thermostat. I get a hot hose from head to radiator and a cold hose from thermostat to lower radiator. The car just simply overheats and flows into the overflo bottle. I thought that I placed the replacement thermostat that I got from Vick's in the right direction although there were no arrows on the housing. I copied the original in that there is a flange on one side and I placed it toward the short hose on the bottom of the block. I have not checked the water pump yet, but it looks like the PO replaced it a some point. I want to start with the obvious first and go from there. The car is now ready to hit the road if I can just figure this out......

[pope]

Although many here have psychic powers, a picture of the thermostat in place would go a long way to solving your problem.

[manoa matt]

You most likely have a Behr thermostat. The one leg that is machined goes to the short hose and water pump. The othe two ports angle up and down toward the front of the car.

[deacon]

[/img]

First time posting photos so I hope this works. Here is a photo of the thermostat installation.



and another...

[So Cal Mark]

I think you have it wrong. The leg you have on the upper hose should go to the water pump. You'll still have to bleed the system once you get it all together

[deacon]

I will try it the way you have suggested. It's unfortunate there were no insructions or hints when I bought it. I did go thru the bleed process when I put it together, but of course I will have to do it again....Thanks once again Mark.

[pope]

OK, 2 things. Take the thermostat off all the hoses and hold it in your hand. Blow into each of the 3 outlets. 2 of the outlets will allow air to pass through, but one will be blocked off. The outlet that is blocked off is the end that attaches to the lower radiator hose. Now that you know which is which, take a drill bit that is no bigger than 1/8" and smaller if possible and drill a hole just like in the picture. This allows fluid to remove the airlock that occurs on Spiders frequently.
Good Luck
This is my buddy Ron Luxmore's recommendation and works great.

[deacon]

Great idea, thanks.

[So Cal Mark]

you can also use a flashlight instead of wrapping your lips around the coolant-tainted t-stat

[deacon]

You were both right on with your suggestions. I had it in wrong therefore restricting the coolant flow. Just putting it back together now and should have it going later today. Thanks once again to the forum!

[mbouse]

try this orientation, or just try the orient!

[deacon]

That be it......

[deacon]

Well, I installed the tstat properly and even drilled the suggested hole in it. Filled up the car and bled air (or so it seems) and ran it. Damn! The cooling system is not moving water at all. The top hose to the radiator is hot and the bottom is cold. The hose to the choke does not warm up either. The car runs for a few minutes and then overheats. The only thing I have not done is the water pump. I will try to do a visual inspection on it's function once I drain the cooling sysytem AGAIN. I assume that the new tstat is good even though I might heat it up in a pot of water and look to see if it opens........

[mbouse]

we're sure it is properly bled?

[mdrburchette]

Somewhere on this site is the proper bleeding procedure to take care of your problem. Most everyone has experienced a problem getting the air out of the cooling system on the Spider since the radiator is lower than the head. I raise the front end of the car way up on jackstands, turn the heater on, run the engine while squeezing the hoses and watch the bubbles come up where the cap should be. It'll take several minutes, but you should be able to do this until the fan comes on and no more bubbles come up...just keep an eye on the temp gauge.