What sort of thermostat do I need?

[WilliamFredrickson]

Ah, okay, got it. Thanks guys!

[86VickyLX]

86Vicky hates Failsafes because he feels they can cause premature engine wear if they stick open and the car runs too cold for a long time. I always notice my AutoGage temp gage from time to time while driving, so I'd know immediately if my Failsafe had failed.

It's a pain in the ass. And because of this. As I said in another thread...

I've actually had the best luck with the cheap thermostats. I've had two trucks that the previous owners put $12 "Failsafe" thermostats in and they both went bad. Funny thing was when the one stuck open the truck overheated because it couldn't cool the water fast enough. I put a thin layer on both sides of the gasket to seal any imperfections and then put it together with some antisieze on the bolts.

[Lincolnmania]

i've run a 180 degree thermostat in the town car since the 90's.......a 160 i would not use

[1987cp]

What you're seeing is a pipe threaded bung for a temperature sensor or a thermostatically controlled vacuum valve on a carb car.

Interesting, I thought those thermal vacuum switches always mounted in a weird kooky fitting up top like the ones that came on my '79, my '81, and (IIRC) Nathan's '90. Makes more sense to put it in the water neck, though, thread size permitting.

[FatNasty]

I like the housings that have the threaded hole, not only for the additional sensor location, but they also tend to be cast iron instead of aluminum so harder to crack.. which i've done my fair share of times with the aluminum ones. Some parts places don't show that one when you look them up for our cars, but they show up under stuff like early 70's bronco's.

[1987cp]

True, seems all SBF waternecks are essentially the same except for the weird 90-degree Fox Mustang piece.

[86VickyLX]

The Explorer also has that elbow. Found that out after I assembled the engine in the car.