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Re: Skirted thermostats - Newly manufactured

Subject: Re: Skirted thermostats - Newly manufactured
From: James Charles Ruwaldt <jruwaldt@indiana.edu>
Date: Mon, 4 Aug 1997 14:30:01 -0500 (EST)
Cc: Triumph <triumphs@Autox.Team.Net>
Is there something unique about TR4's?  My TR6 has been running just fine 
for the last three years with a standard thermostat that cost under two 
bucks.  Now, if you're looking for originality, I can understand why 
you'd pay twenty-five bucks for one.  I just find that unusual.
Jim Ruwaldt
'72 TR6 CC79338U(being restored)
Bloomington, IN


On Mon, 4 Aug 1997, Don Sforza wrote:

> Hey Jack:
> 
> $26.95 is NOT a lot of money, when you consider the other cash we've blown on
> our cars. I've been fortunate to land two original Smith's thermostats for my
> '4 at about $25.00 each. For the guy who's stuck with an aftermarket piece of
> junk, the money should be a non-issue.
> 
> BTW, thanks sharing the info... it has already been entered in the "parts"
> archive.
> 
> "And to think, it all started with a tractor!"
> 
> Don Sforza           dsforza@megahits.com                  KA1WV
> 1963 TR4        Connecticut Triumph Register             CT16707L
>                          Southington, Connecticut
> 
> ----------
> > From: Jack I. Brooks <brooks@belcotech.com>
> > To: Triumphs@autox.team.net
> > Cc: TRFmail@aol.com; moss@mossmotors.com
> > Subject: Skirted thermostats - Newly manufactured
> > Date: August 4, 1997 12:50 PM
> > 
> > Recently a New Jersey Triumph Association club (& list) member, Bruce Hoppe,
> > discovered that a Jaguar restoration shop was producing a modern skirted
> > thermostat, which he thought was similar in size to those use in the
> > TR2/3/4's.  This restorer commissioned a machine shop to produce these
> > thermostats for them.  I saw Bruce's thermostat at a club meeting and was
> > satisfied with the quality.  I purchased one, measured, tested and installed
> it.
> > 
> > The Jaguar thermostat is working well in my TR3A.  It is a modern 160F
> > thermostat, which has been modified to include a skirt.  The skirt is brazed
> > onto the thermostat in a very neat and clean manner.  There is no
> > "bleed/vent" hole at the top of the thermostat flange. 
> > 
> > This thermostat operates slightly different than the skirted thermostats we
> > are used to.  The OEM thermostat has a skirt which is starts out behind the
> > bypass hole and moves forward, to block the bypass hole as the water
> > temperature rises.  The Jaguar reproduction is just the opposite.  The skirt
> > sits against the thermostat flange, in front of the bypass hole when it it
> > cold and moves backward, to block the bypass hole, as the water temperature
> > rises.  
> > 
> > The dimensions I measured on the thermostat and my TR3A housing are shown
> below:
> > 
> > Dimension               Thermostat      My TR3A thermostat housing   
> > 
> > Skirt Diameter          1.930 inch      1.967 inch 
> > Skirt length            0.400 inch           
> > Skirt movement @ 180F   0.320 inch
> > Bypass hole (from Flange)               0.375 inch
> > Bypass hole (diameter)                  0.430 inch
> > 
> > If you "stack up" the skirt length and movement dimensions you will find
> > that the skirt moves almost exactly enough to cover the bypass hole.  
> > 
> > On top of my stove, the 160F thermostat begins to open at 160-165, achieving
> > full open by 180F.  It might have gone to full open at a lower temperature,
> > with more time, but I didn't realize this inadequacy in my test procedures
> > until after the thermostat was installed in my car.
> > 
> > I didn't measure the percent "open area" for water flow, but it was at least
> > as good as most thermostats I have seen.
> > 
> > Two downsides: 
> > 
> > 1. The thermostat costs $26.95 plus shipping.
> > 
> > 2. The opening temperature is approx 160F, but full open does not occur
> > right away, so the normal operational temperature is somewhat above 160F,
> > more like 165F (electronic thermometer), but only extended idling (15+
> > minutes) will drive it above 180-190F.
> > 
> > As as aside, my cooling system (I think) was in pretty good condition before
> > I installed this thermostat. I use 70/30 water/antifreeze mix, w/water
> > wetter.  Keep in mind, that no thermostat will cure cooling system
> > deficiencies and YMMV.
> > 
> > The source is XK's Unlimited, 800-444-5247. They are a reputable shop and
> > advertise in British car magazine.  They have a site at www.xks.com
> > Tell them what car the thermostat is for, your TR, but the bottom line is
> > that their thermostat is designed for a XK120/140 Jaguar.
> > 
> > (TRF, Moss, Vicki Brit & others - did you catch the name of that source?)
> > 
> > I have no financial or other interest in XK's, although I wouldn't mind one
> > of their XK140 restored race cars (check out their site).  I told them, if
> > it worked for me I'd be telling a few hundred of my closest friends, but
> > still couldn't get a freebie. (I'm only kidding, I didn't ask)
> > 
> > Also, From the SAAB list I learned about Mercedes-Benz anti-freeze.  M-B
> > created it because they were experiencing a significant number of head
> > gasket and cooling system related failures.  I have heard that it is double
> > buffered (against acid and base build ups).  This is reputed to eliminate
> > the salt (white chalky deposits) and goop buildups some of us find in our
> > radiators and engine water passages.  I have not yet tried this stuff
> > ($10/gallon) but will by the end of the summer.  Just another thought....
> > 
> > BTW - After replacing your thermostat let the system get hot (pressurized)
> > and check for leaks.  A cold (unpressurized) coolant system test, done the
> > night before, may not reveal the substantial leak that a three mile jaunt
> > into town for bagels on a Sunday morning at 6AM will.  You may not have
> > enough coolant left to make it home, unless you keep a gallon of water in
> > the boot.  You may not have to put up with the smirk of a Porche Targa
> > driver as you run through a red light and begin coasting down the last hill
> > on the way to your home with the engine off.  To quote others on this list
> > "How do I know this?"  ;-)
> > 
> > Jack Brooks
> > 
> 
> 

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