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]

As for the default state, the clamping tab is near verticle in that mode and will go NO further forward with no wire attached. As in towards the headlights. When the thermostat is in the constricted state (non expanded) the operational length of the wire is shorter, thus NOT in a full cooling state allowing the oil to warm up. While warming, The thermo expands. the operational length INCREASES, and the vanes move towards the default. If you attach the wire to the bar, with the thermo constricted, and the bar tab is in the fully forward (towards the headlights) the expansion will have 0 effect upon the vane positioning. some owners living in warmer climates skip the thermostat system entirely as they don't seem to need the 'warm up' aspect. I seem to remember some of those owners even rivet the the vanes in the default state. Also, I imagine using the wire to strong arm expand a cold thermo might be a good way to ruin it.