Odd Thermostat Failure - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

*Sharps40* · 11-22-2012, 07:43 AM

Well, the cool evenings have started off with a bang and Ol John Lee has just fine heat. Plenty enough from the Chevy Thriftmaster three speed heater/defroster to clear the windhsield and keep my toes warm (with rags stuffed in the kick panel vents to bolster the rotten rubber seals). And then, the heat tapered off over the last few weeks. Finally reaching the point of feeling more like a fadeing candle than a real heater. Another symptom, even in the cold, the engine cold light didn't stay on very long on those crisp 6 AM starts for the trip to work.

So as I wonder whats up and assuming a stuck thermostat, I'm suprized by the fact he never overheated...

Never seen one fail this way. Plunger on this 196 degree stat popped its cage and jammed itself nearly shot eliminating almost all water flow. Interesting. But a new Stant 180 stat with a lovely blue Felpro gasket (slowely but surely, we are color matching Ol John Lees engine to his body color with light blue edgeing at all the seams in the motor) and we're back in business....We gots heat!

Hoo Ahh! Happy Thanksgiving, and I'm off to the Neuse River tomorrow to look for Giant Bucks. Me and trusty Remmie 700 are zeroed at 250m, Ol John Lee is tweaked again and ready for a bloody bed!

MikeS. · 11-22-2012, 09:23 AM

That's interesting.
Posted via Mobile Device

Volvo_Matt · 11-22-2012, 04:23 PM

Looks like you got some serious corrosion/rust build-up in your cooling system.

markeb01 · 11-22-2012, 05:15 PM

In 50+ years of working on cars I've never seen a thermostat fail like that either. It is interesting. I'm not sure how that would happen.

*Sharps40* · 11-22-2012, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Volvo_Matt

Looks like you got some serious corrosion/rust build-up in your cooling system.

Yep, corrosion, some goop and a bit of glop too. It all keeps the motor from leaking!

*Sharps40* · 11-22-2012, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markeb01

In 50+ years of working on cars I've never seen a thermostat fail like that either. It is interesting. I'm not sure how that would happen.

Me neither. First I thought the arch broke but looks like it just kinda jumped the rail.

11-22-2012, 07:43 AM	#1
Sharps40 Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: here Posts: 2,408	Odd Thermostat Failure Well, the cool evenings have started off with a bang and Ol John Lee has just fine heat. Plenty enough from the Chevy Thriftmaster three speed heater/defroster to clear the windhsield and keep my toes warm (with rags stuffed in the kick panel vents to bolster the rotten rubber seals). And then, the heat tapered off over the last few weeks. Finally reaching the point of feeling more like a fadeing candle than a real heater. Another symptom, even in the cold, the engine cold light didn't stay on very long on those crisp 6 AM starts for the trip to work. So as I wonder whats up and assuming a stuck thermostat, I'm suprized by the fact he never overheated... Never seen one fail this way. Plunger on this 196 degree stat popped its cage and jammed itself nearly shot eliminating almost all water flow. Interesting. But a new Stant 180 stat with a lovely blue Felpro gasket (slowely but surely, we are color matching Ol John Lees engine to his body color with light blue edgeing at all the seams in the motor) and we're back in business....We gots heat! Hoo Ahh! Happy Thanksgiving, and I'm off to the Neuse River tomorrow to look for Giant Bucks. Me and trusty Remmie 700 are zeroed at 250m, Ol John Lee is tweaked again and ready for a bloody bed!

11-22-2012, 09:23 AM	#2
MikeS. Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: FarEastern WVa Posts: 1,691	Re: Odd Thermostat Failure That's interesting. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ Past Master Triluminar Lodge #117 GL of WVa My 1963 4x4 Suburban build; http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=531274 My Gallery, now with pics of my 1966 C30 motorhome. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...&ppuser=103447

11-22-2012, 04:23 PM	#3
Volvo_Matt Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Hillsboro, OR Posts: 49	Re: Odd Thermostat Failure Looks like you got some serious corrosion/rust build-up in your cooling system. __________________ 1963 LWB 350 M-21 4spd comp/edelbrock/holly/LT1 1.94/1.60

11-22-2012, 05:15 PM	#4
markeb01 Senior Enthusiast Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Spokane Valley, WA Posts: 8,356	Re: Odd Thermostat Failure In 50+ years of working on cars I've never seen a thermostat fail like that either. It is interesting. I'm not sure how that would happen. __________________ My Build Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444502



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