Its my understanding the the spring side of the thermostat is always supposed to be positioned towards the engine. On my truck you can actually install it into the housing by twisting it clockwise onto two tabs.

Well since I have a March serpentine belt setup, I have to use a 90 degree water outlet. I am using this chrome Mr Gasket one. It seems the thermostat will only fit with the spring facing the radiator. It seems to work alright. Should I find a way to put it the other direction? Will it hurt anything?

http://www.mustangsunlimited.com/ite...asp?T1=9713+01

 

My thinking is that with a conventional thermostat being upside down, the thermostat will open a little slower than it ordinarily would. I THINK so long as it isn't causing you problems, it should be ok.

 

This side of the thermostat should always face the radiator. The sensor bulb is on the other side, where hot water will cause it to open. If the housing you have will not allow your thermostat to be properly installed, it is crap and you should take it back.

 

JMD, At first I was thinking what your saying. I haven't tested it this way on a hot day, since there hasn't been one yet. I'm just not sure it'll work even half way right.

2+2, I was beginning to think exactly that. Maybe this Mr Gasket one is not made right. Has anyone else used it?

The problem is there is not hardly any options for 90 degree thermostat housings that I can find.

I tried a replacement one for a fox body like I saw a magazine article talk about. Talk about worthless junk. It was way too big and did not fit right at all. It didn't mate up to the intake properly. I took it back.

A new Motorcraft T stat housing is around $80 or more. I can't justify the cost for what it is.

http://www.mustangandfords.com/techa...t_3/index.html

This picture is from the article.

 

That looks like a replacement to me. BTW, I've never had any luck sealing the Mr Gasket chrome jobs.

Here's a 90° housing for $10-

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...PCOOLAMS_____#

 

Yeah, any parts store should have one behind the counter. It's just a matter of getting someone to look through a book and find you the right one.

And for future reference, Motorcraft doesn't actually make anything. Sometimes you get OEM stuff, sometimes you get whatever they got the lowest bid on. That $80 for that housing is basically paying for the name on the box. It's no different than what 2+2GT linked for you.

 

Thats the other one I tried. Its a huge peice of junk. The Fel Pro Gasket doesn't fit it. The housing is too large. It doesn't mate up to the intake correctly.

Its funny, someone actually says that in the reviews.

Also its opening is larger than the thermostat, so its a sloppy fit.

 

I'm not so sure about that. Sometimes it may be true but for this I don't think it is. I've read a few different places where guys said the Ford one fit and the replacement one didn't.

I wonder how many different replacement ones there actually are?

 

don't you have an edelbrock intake? just order an edelbrock one. you can get them on ebay for like $20.

 

OK,

http://www.americanmuscle.com/mustan...eck-79951.html
http://www.latemodelrestoration.com/...ing-Water-Neck