Thermostat Housing 2.8 V6

[HoneyBadger]

I have an ‘83 Ranger 4x4 that l am in the process of completing for use. I acquired it after it had been parked by the original owner since 2013. I have completed an engine analysis and am very close to completion. I need a new thermostat housing as mine is compromised. Any ideas where l might find one. Would like to get one ASAP! Thank you!

 

[franklin2]

Here is one on ebay. You will find some of the parts for this engine are very difficult to find.

Ford Ranger 2.8 Front Thermostat Housing Water Outlet OEM Bronco II 83 84 85 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Ford Ranger 2.8 Front Thermostat Housing Water Outlet OEM Bronco II 83 84 85 at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

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What is compromised on the old one?

 

[HoneyBadger]

Here’s a picture of my ol one. Nothing I’ve seen online matches it.

 

[RobbieD]

That one is identical to the one on my '84.

A lot of 2.8 parts are getting hard to find. If yours is not cracked or broken, you might have to clean it up and reuse it.

Emery cloth is good to clean up the nipples; use a strip of it like you're buffing shoes. And carefully scrape the gasket off of the mounting surface, then sand the mating surface on a sheet of sandpaper on flat glass.

Be careful and gentle on it if you're replacing the sending units. If you're able to do, or have done, a Duraspark conversion, the front sensor is not needed and can be plugged (like mine is below).

Don't overtighten the bolts when installing it.

 

[HoneyBadger]

Mine is cracked and deteriorated beyond use.

 

[franklin2]

That is not the thermostat housing. The thermostat on these engines lives down low on the front driver's side of the engine and is hooked to the lower radiator hose.

The picture you have is of the top water outlet. There should be no thermostat under this outlet.

Looking here they are out of stock, but we get a part number RH16 https://www.stockwiseauto.com/motorcraft-rh16-engine-coolant-thermostat-housing?Year=1984&Make=Ford&Model=Ranger

I did a google search and did not come up with anything except rockauto has a bunch of them that do not have any extra ports. I see in your picture you have your engine temp gauge sensor in one of the ports, and the other is plugged off.

Here is what came up at rockauto. Will any of the bolt holes line up like yours? I don't know. If they did you could put a tee fitting in one of the heater core hoses for a place to put your gauge sensor. https://www.rockauto.com/en/parts/motorcraft,RH16,thermostat+housing+/+water+outlet,10337

If you are handy, there is also the option of making one. I think it could be done with some 1/4 steel welded to some pipe fittings.

 

[RobbieD]

I see in your picture you have your engine temp gauge sensor in one of the ports, and the other is plugged off.

The OP's outlet has both sending units in place (that's my engine in the second pic). If he's still running the EEC and feedback carb system, he'll need both.

 

[franklin2]

If he's still running the EEC and feedback carb system, he'll need both.

He shouldn't be. Though it's getting harder and harder to find the parts to convert over. It has been my personal goal to convert all running 300 six cylinders in the 1984-1986 larger trucks away from the EEC carb system. I think we should convert all 2.8's the same way.

 

[4x4prepper]

possible lead:

FORD RANGER PARTS AND TRUCKS - auto parts - by owner - vehicle...

I have about 15 Ford Ranger trucks from the late 80's to 2001. Some of them are 4x4 and several of them are easy rebuilds. If you are needing parts or a whole truck just let me know. I have a...

chattanooga.craigslist.org

FORD RANGER PARTS AND TRUCKS - $1 (Manchester)
© craigslist - Map data © OpenStreetMap

condition: fair
delivery available
make / manufacturer: Ford
model name / number: Ranger
I have about 15 Ford Ranger trucks from the late 80's to 2001. Some of them are 4x4 and several of them are easy rebuilds. If you are needing parts or a whole truck just let me know. I have a rollback and can possibly haul for a fee. I would sell all for a package deal. Call me with your needs. I am open to trades of almost anything also.Thanks for looking.

 

[4x4prepper]

BTW: I am fairly sure this coolant outlet can be replaced with a Chevy SB thermostat housing, they are very close on the bolt hole spacing. I just have not had the time to go to Advance Auto and match them up.