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Thermostat Differences and dumb things

To: "'Spitfires'" <spitfires@autox.team.net>
Subject: Thermostat Differences and dumb things
From: Michael Graziano <mgrazian@ltcm.com>
Date: Mon, 26 Apr 1999 10:22:33 -0400
Hey all.  Just a quick question, and a quick story.....

1.  WHat's the difference between a 160 degree and a 180 degree thermostat
besides 20 degrees?  i.e. which should be used when?  And when I went to
change mine,  I found that the DPO didn't have one installed.  Is this
indicative of overheating problems?

2.  The quick story.  Spent the weekend working on the car,  getting ready
for Moss' Britfest.  I decided that the valve cover should be painted.  So i
take it off, and paint it.  WHile it's drying,  I decide to use the time and
get some other things done.  To make a long story short,  I finally got
around to putting in the 180 degree thermostat i bought (only one the store
had).  Open the spot where it goes and ....  whoosh antifreeze spills right
down the #1 valve push rod.  Now what,  I rush to put the thermostat in and
get the water out, when I drop the lock washer for the thermostat housing.
Plink, right into the hole where the connecting rod goes.  Now what the hell
was I to do.  An hour later,  and a long #12 solid copper wire with a little
hook on it with the help of a mityvac to get the antifreeze out,  and I was
saved from removing my first head.  Folks,  it just doesn't pay to screw
around doing anything else with that valve cover off.  Lesson learned.

Michael

'78 Midget 1500
'87 300zx


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