Thermostat and Dome Light Questions

[kozak]

I have a 302 in an '86 Ranger. It had an oil leak comming from the timing chain cover, so I ripped it all apart and changed the gaskets. Bought a new water pump and stuck it all back together. As soon as I refilled the radiator, it came pissing out onto the ground. I tracked the leak down to the thermostat, it was comming through between the gasket and the housing area. So I went out and bought a new thermostat while I was at it, and a new gasket. I used blue gasket sealer stuff, and stuck it back on. My question is, is there a certain amount of time I have to wait until I hook the hoses up an refill the rad an fire it up? The gasket sealer tube says 1 hour to dry, and 24 hours to cure...

And, my dome light wiring isn't hooked up. The wires are just sitting there underneath the dash. How would one go about hooking that up ?

 

[mhughes165]

wait a few hours b4 runnin the engine, if u got a gasket for the housing and not just the blue shit then u can run it now, but if u just blue shitted wait atleast a few hours

 

[kozak]

I have the gasket too. I waited for 4 hours or more. Filled up the rad, and the same thing, came pissing out again. I don't know whats going on or what im doing wrong, getting pretty frusterating.

 

[Explorin94]

I can only speak for myself when I say.....never use any type of rtv around the t-stat. The rtv can become dislodged and stick the t-stat open.

 

[projectnitemare]

Did it always leak or just a new occurance? Try a new t-stat housing and check the intake for any dings at the sealing suface. I had the same problem once on a new intake. Someone dropped it and boogered up the t-stat sealing surface.

Matt

 

[mhughes165]

thats the only thing i can come up with aswell, there aint much to them, so either its dinged up or has a hole both of which can happed relativly easy

 

[kerry]

Thermostat

Every time I've replaced a thermostat (admittedly on non-Ranger applications) it has been quite difficult to get the 'stat to seat properly and get the housing down wher it belongs. If after inspection to determine if there is any damage, it still looks OK, try putting it back and being very careful to get it seated and the housing down all the way to the block or manifold.

Good Luck!