Aluminum thermostat housing for the SOHC...

[Mike Tonon]

Worth it?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/97-01-Expl...rentrq:b52950be1680ac3c1631b98dffdc7fbd|iid:1

Mines still good. It’s 12 years old. I took it apart once to chance the thermostat. I heard they crack sometimes. I never had a problem with mine, but if I have to change the thermostat again, maybe I should change the housing to aluminum?

 

[adsm08]

If you plan to keep it for any length of time, yes. They don't crack, the seal where the top is joined to the lower part of the main piece fails and they leak. I had my dad talked into the metal one, and we were going to get it after he got back from a hunting trip, then what was a small leak turned into a gusher while he was gone and he had to fix it at camp.

 

[sgtsandman]

I agree with adsm08. Definitely worth it if you plan to keep it. Heck, the next time I go to do a coolant change, I might jump on this. The plastics get brittle over time and this would be one less thing to worry about.

 

[adsm08]

I agree with adsm08. Definitely worth it if you plan to keep it. Heck, the next time I go to do a coolant change, I might jump on this. The plastics get brittle over time and this would be one less thing to worry about.

Chevy has been having huge problems with the plastic t-stat housing on the 1.8 doing this. The best part of the joke is that if you buy it from Amazon you can get a Dorman aluminum replacement for less than the plastic OE one.

 

[Mike Tonon]

Which is the best one out there? I see at least two different brands on eBay.

Will the brass on the sensor corrode, being in contact with aluminum? Whether you guys know or not, two different kinds of metal in contact with eachother, corrode. What about the steel screws being in contact with the aluminum? Maybe some anti corrosion grease or something should be applied to the screws?

Do you guys trust the temperature sensor that the housing comes with? Should I toss that one and use a new OEM sensor? This housing is burried under stuff. I don’t want to take it apart again soon, because the sensor failed.

Which coolant do you guys use? I might as well drain and refill while I’m in there. I usually do it every 3.5 years, with the 5 year, 150,000 mile green stuff at the auto parts store. It says that it’s compatible with a lot of coolants. But I’ve heard that the factory green is slightly different than the new aftermarket green.

 

[sgtsandman]

I wouldn't worry about the brass. If the connection is the same with the sensor(s) that comes with the unit, I would just stick with that.

 

[adsm08]

Which is the best one out there? I see at least two different brands on eBay.

Will the brass on the sensor corrode, being in contact with aluminum? Whether you guys know or not, two different kinds of metal in contact with eachother, corrode. What about the steel screws being in contact with the aluminum? Maybe some anti corrosion grease or something should be applied to the screws?

Do you guys trust the temperature sensor that the housing comes with? Should I toss that one and use a new OEM sensor? This housing is burried under stuff. I don’t want to take it apart again soon, because the sensor failed.

Which coolant do you guys use? I might as well drain and refill while I’m in there. I usually do it every 3.5 years, with the 5 year, 150,000 mile green stuff at the auto parts store. It says that it’s compatible with a lot of coolants. But I’ve heard that the factory green is slightly different than the new aftermarket green.

I wouldn't worry too much about the bi-metallic corrosion. Ford does this all the time with intakes thermostat housings, etc, and don't usually have horrible issues. Also, brass coolant sensors have been stuck into aluminum intakes and water necks for decades without major issues. The switch to plastic parts came from a desire for lower production costs and reduced longevity by the manufacturers.

 

[Mike Tonon]

I wouldn't worry too much about the bi-metallic corrosion. Ford does this all the time with intakes thermostat housings, etc, and don't usually have horrible issues. Also, brass coolant sensors have been stuck into aluminum intakes and water necks for decades without major issues. The switch to plastic parts came from a desire for lower production costs and reduced longevity by the manufacturers.

Ok, what’s the best brand of aluminum housing for this engine, available?

 

[adsm08]

I dunno.