Thermostat

joestram · July 10, 2014, 11:41:50 PM

Hi All,
Does anyone know where I can get a thermostat in a hurry for a 79 alfetta 2lt. Was hoping to pick one up tomorrow around Ringwood in my lunch break ready for Saturday.
Thanks all.
Joe

Alfapride · July 11, 2014, 07:07:59 AM

I have one for a 84 is it the same?

joestram · July 11, 2014, 08:04:59 AM

I am not too sure? I would assume so. Is it new?

Neil Choi · July 11, 2014, 10:14:55 AM

If you change the thermostat housing to a 105 one then you can insert a Ford or Holden one (can't remember which). About $10 anywhere.

Domenic · July 11, 2014, 10:53:27 AM

Have you tried contacting any of the club advertisers?

It's a common item and they should be able to get one out to you today if you need it urgently.

Alfapride · July 11, 2014, 06:01:42 PM

Take a photo of your thermostat someone here may have one

colcol · July 11, 2014, 09:33:45 PM

Try Monza Motors in Bayswater, Mauceri Motors in Clayton, they are round your area, if you feel like a drive, try Italian Automotive Spares in Brunswick or Ill Bolide Rosso in Thornbury, but phone ahead first, Colin.

LukeC · July 12, 2014, 07:53:02 AM

Quoteinsert a Ford or Holden one (can't remember which).

Ensure whatever you put in their has the correct bypass that help quick/uniform heating of the engine when cold.

Also, if the bypass is not shut off when hot, the radiator does not see all coolant when recirculated.

Pet hate of mine to see incorrect T-stat.... Says mechanic that does not understand or care!

joestram · July 12, 2014, 06:38:39 PM

Thanks for your comments guys. ..I have actually moved to Templestowe now so will try the one in Brunswick or Thornbury! Didn't get a chance to do it on Friday unfortunately.

joestram · July 12, 2014, 06:40:10 PM

Also, seeing as though it is one of the highest points of the motor...does the coolant need flushing or can it quickly be changed without?

Neil Choi · July 12, 2014, 08:56:21 PM

You can pop the thermostat off and replace it with whatever you like without losing much coolant. I am in Templestowe too so can help if needed. I will also be at Brunswick (Maranello) on Monday or Bayswater (Monza) on Tuesday if you need a thermostat picked up. Either place is my second home!!!

Again, I would suggest a 105 thermostat housing. But whatever you fancy. I have gone with the 105 housing in all my Alfetta's as if I need a thermostat replaced, say at the track, I can simply pop into the local auto store (Repco or SCA) and grab a Tridon one and off I go. Have done this at Sandown Historic one year and continued to race the rest of the weekend without searching high and low for an Alfetta thermostat, though I could have raided any of Alfetta spectator cars!!!

joestram · July 15, 2014, 05:07:02 PM

Hi Neil,

Thanks for the kind offer!

I have just ordered it now from Italian Automotive Spares so it will be delivered to me tomorrow.

I ended up getting the one piece alfetta thermostat for the time being but will look to replace the body in the not too distant future.

I was told that to change it to the 105 body, I had to change the intake manifold as well. Does that sound right or can it be achieved by just replacing the top half?

Also, the new thermostat doesn't come with a gasket so where can I get this from or I was advised that I could use a sealant purchased from Supercheap. Which option is better?

Thanks guys!

Joe

colcol · July 15, 2014, 06:55:12 PM

You could go to Repco, Supercheap or Autobahn and have a look at their collection of thermostat gaskets, they have gaskets that have a number of holes punched in them and with any luck you will find the holes will line up.
Hopeless these thermostat manufacturers that don't supply gaskets, like what do you do, use the old one, or when you get home to put it in and have to drive back, because there was no gasket, Colin.

colcol · July 15, 2014, 09:15:59 PM

You could always go to Bearing Service or Engineering supply place and buy a sheet of gasket paper and cut the shape out to suit using scissors and stanley knives, more fun than just buying one already made up and put some hard drying gasket cement on it to ensure a snug leak free fit, Colin.

Domenic · July 16, 2014, 08:34:45 AM

The Alfetta thermostats never had gaskets, there's an O'ring in the housing. That is what seals it to the manifold so coolant doesn't leak.
To be safe you can always put a smear of sealant, but the O'ring is more than enough to seal it all.

Colin, it's a similar setup to the 156 thermostats, they have the O'ring there to seal it up.