Thermostat Questions Options

[orbit398]

Putting my engine back together and have a few questions on the thermostat. I did the check to make sure it grows to the proper length (1.81" at 150 -160 degree water) and it seems close enough. Air flappers all operate fine, accept I think there is a little interference with the drivers side flap. If I try to close the flap all the way, it appears to hit a small piece on the aluminum large air bracket. See pics. I can't shift that flapper door down the bar a bit allowing it to clear this small piece of aluminum sticking out. I can modify the flapper a bit so it'd close all the way but figured I'd ask folks.

Next Question, are there instructions on how to adjust the cable operation of the air flappers. I assume I need to pull the thermostat to it's extended length and secure the small cable to the flapper bar location at that cable length. The result being that when the thermostat is extended, the cable should allow the flapper bar spring to fully open the air flappers.

thanks for any advice

[rhodyguy]

With the cable unattached the vanes should be in the cooling position (default). To attach the cable, engine cold thermo not expanded, manually push the rod towards the rear of the car and then attach the cable. As the engine warms up, the thermo expands and the cooling flaps should move to their cooling position. A third hand makes the cable attachment a whole lot easier. If you are putting in a new cable DO NOT cut it too short after the install. Leave at least an inch and a little more is better. Too short and it's damn near impossible to reattach if you have to uncouple it. Even with a third hand, it's a bitch. Then you surrender and just spring for a new cable. btdt.

[orbit398]

With the cable unattached the vanes should be in the cooling position (default). To attach the cable, engine cold thermo not expanded, manually push the rod towards the rear of the car and then attach the cable. As the engine warms up, the thermo expands and the cooling flaps should move to their cooling position. A third hand makes the cable attachment a whole lot easier. If you are putting in a new cable DO NOT cut it too short after the install. Leave at least an inch and a little more is better. Too short and it's damn near impossible to reattach if you have to uncouple it. Even with a third hand, it's a bitch. Then you surrender and just spring for a new cable. btdt.

I think you mean "front" of the car. If I understand correctly. I pulled the thermostat forward until it could not expand any more, thus the cable was longer. I clamped/secured it. At this time, the flaps were up as that's the default position via the spring and the cable was hypothetically in it thermostat hot position. Once I let the thermostat go, it pulled the flaps down a bit as the thermo was cold.