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  •  » Thermostat installation on a 289-V8

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    6/17/2025 7:13 AM  #1

    moon4964
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    Registered: 9/04/2024
    Posts: 48

    Thermostat installation on a 289-V8

    I am almost certain other Mustangers have workable solutions when installing a thermostat on a Ford small block. The thermostat tends to slip down out of the housing groove. I have changed a few prior to this latest exercise. I failed twice this time. However, as I lay awake two nights ago at 2AM, I devised the solution shown in the photos. This was new to me, but I guess you guys have figured it out, too.
    I slipped a cable tie through the front side of the thermostat and extended it to the neck of the housing. Then I wrapped another cable tie around the neck. The thermostat stayed in the groove during installation. After the bolts had been securely tightened, the cable ties were cut and removed. No leaks!

    Last edited by moon4964 (6/18/2025 8:24 AM)

     

    6/17/2025 7:28 AM  #2

    BobE
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    From: White Plains, NY
    Registered: 4/04/2013
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    Re: Thermostat installation on a 289-V8

    Good idea, thanks for sharing. 

    65 Fastback, 351W, 5-speed, 4 wheel discs, 9" rear,  R&C Front End.
     

    6/17/2025 8:28 AM  #3

    Bullet Bob
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    From: Montrose, Colorado
    Registered: 4/01/2013
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    Re: Thermostat installation on a 289-V8

    That's a nice water neck but I can see why it would be a PIA.  Mine is old skool with a plane flat gasket.  I always just use the gasket and a little goop to hold the stat in the recess while installing.  But I do like that O-ringed neck. 
    Cool idea, thanks for passing that along.

    BB1

    "you get what you pay for, good work isn't cheap, and there are NO free lunches...PERIOD!"
     

    6/17/2025 8:34 AM  #4

    Rudi
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    From: Stuck in the 50's Welland Ca
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    Re: Thermostat installation on a 289-V8

    Cool idea, what’s the skinny on the water neck, the o ring water necks I’ve seen were chromed, made of pewter and leaked like a sieve .

    Good work ain't cheap, Cheap work ain't good!   Simple Man
     

    6/17/2025 11:28 AM  #5

    rpm
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    From: Bakersfield, Ca
    Registered: 9/17/2013
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    Re: Thermostat installation on a 289-V8

    Rudi wrote:

    Cool idea, what’s the skinny on the water neck, the o ring water necks I’ve seen were chromed, made of pewter and leaked like a sieve .

     
    Yup, my one purchase of that housing produced the same result. Butt moon's housing like it is a better piece.

    Bob. 69 Mach 1, 393W, SMOD Toploader, Armstrong  steering, factory AC.
     

    6/17/2025 1:52 PM  #6

    Rudi
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    Re: Thermostat installation on a 289-V8

    rpm wrote:

    Rudi wrote:

    Cool idea, what’s the skinny on the water neck, the o ring water necks I’ve seen were chromed, made of pewter and leaked like a sieve .

     
    Yup, my one purchase of that housing produced the same result. Butt moon's housing like it is a better piece.

     
    Who  is Butt moon?

    Good work ain't cheap, Cheap work ain't good!   Simple Man
     

    6/17/2025 2:29 PM  #7

    moon4964
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    Registered: 9/04/2024
    Posts: 48

    Re: Thermostat installation on a 289-V8

    The stat housing with the O-ring is an Edelbrock product. The gasket sealer or shellac would not hold the stat in place during installation. The engine after rebuilding had the stock looking thermostat housing.
    Signed Butt Moon
     

    Last edited by moon4964 (6/18/2025 8:22 AM)

       •Thread Starter
     

    6/17/2025 8:42 PM  #8

    MS
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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
    Registered: 1/24/2013
    Posts: 12,472

    Re: Thermostat installation on a 289-V8

    My method for tstat retention is to put three dabs of weatherstrip (contact) cement on the housing groove and on the tstat. Let it dry, then put it in the groove. It will not move after that. Then I place the gasket using contact cement on the housing. Once it touches, it is stuck on there and cannot move. Before placing on the manifold, I trim the gasket edges with a single edge razor blade. Then, a paper thin layer of rtv is placed on the gasket. Bolt it up and done.

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
     

    6/17/2025 10:50 PM  #9

    rpm
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    From: Bakersfield, Ca
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    Re: Thermostat installation on a 289-V8

    Rudi wrote:

    rpm wrote:

    Rudi wrote:

    Cool idea, what’s the skinny on the water neck, the o ring water necks I’ve seen were chromed, made of pewter and leaked like a sieve .

     
    Yup, my one purchase of that housing produced the same result. Butt moon's housing like it is a better piece.

     
    Who  is Butt moon?

     
    😂 This guy.



    But no butts about it.

    Bob. 69 Mach 1, 393W, SMOD Toploader, Armstrong  steering, factory AC.
     

    6/18/2025 8:39 AM  #10

    6sally6
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    From: Surfside Beach,SC
    Registered: 4/02/2013
    Posts: 6,930

    Re: Thermostat installation on a 289-V8

    moon4964 wrote:

    The stat housing with the O-ring is an Edelbrock product. The gasket sealer or shellac would not hold the stat in place during installation. The engine after rebuilding had the stock looking thermostat housing.
    Signed Butt Moon
     

     



    Big double thumbs on the BUTT MOON  siggy.
    6sal6

    Last edited by 6sally6 (6/18/2025 8:41 AM)

    Get busy Liv'in or get busy Die'n....Host of the 2020 Bash at the Beach/The only Bash that got cancelled  )8
     

     

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