Tomorrow I am going to just replace my thermostat because I have developed a leak around the housing.
a few questions.
what kind of sealer do i use on the gasket? the black RTV or the blue Permetrex?
How long do i have to let it dry for before i can run the car?
and someone told me that my car will run cooler if i dont run a thermostat at all, is this true?
I know they are dumb questions..

 

1. you need a thermostat. between 160-180*.

2. The Right Stuff is the best kind of silicone you can get. if you dont want to spend $10 for it, then the high temp RTV works fine. (that what i used today when we changed my dads to a 160*.)

 

oh and if you screw up and ruin the gasket, its ok cause all you need is a nice bead of silicone and youll be fine. gasket is not nesecary.

 

ok thanks!
i thought that sounded kinda stupid about not needing a thermostat.

 

I try to avoidsealer on the t-stat housing. If it's pitted (which mine is, because it's aluminum) I use KW copper gasket sealer. The Right Stuff RTV is also pretty handy.

 

if the surfaces are clean and not pitted you shouldnt need a sealer. thats what the gasket is for. if you do use a sealer, dont slather it on thick. just thin even smearing.

all the thermostat does is regulate water flow to allow your engine to operate at a constant temperature. personally i think 160 is too low. 180-185 is more the norm. that is simply the temp at which the thermostat opens and allows water to flow. in warm weather it will be wide open. in colder weather it may only be partially open. either way if your car is overheating, dropping the thermo to a colder onewont change anything except the temp at which it opens.

btw after a couple of failures, i always test the thermos before i fit them. pot of water on the stove and a thermometer, warm it up and check the temp at which it opens (or that it opens at all).