Hi,

what thermostat do I need for 3.8s? Should it be one with a sleeve? On my vehicle the thermostat was removed, do i actually need to install one as I live in a warm area.

Thanks

 

 

As Glyn shows in the photo.
Because you live in a warm climate, you need the sleeve type even more so, to make sure all the coolant flows into the rad when the car is hot.

 

The most important thing is the sleeve, otherwise the coolant tends to simply circulate within the block and never goes to the radiator.

 

Hi, thanks for all the advice.



Thermostat housing

 

This is my thermostat housing, as you can see there is some corrosion, will I be able to repair it by a welder or should I source a new one?

 

You can have it welded but I would just buy a new one. The welding will probably cost more than the part which is readily available in JHB. East Rand or Jagman in Somerset West ~ Gerald Williams. Gerald will courier to your doorstep for peanuts.

The sleeve thermostat is crucial to close the narrow B head bypass port so that 100% of the coolant goes via the radiator when hot.

The above thermostat works perfectly with the narrow slot S Type head & what is in my car in sunny South Africa.

Make sure your radiator is in good unblocked condition or have a tropical core fitted which can be done locally with ease. It's a pity you are a bit late I was going for concours. I had a newly re-cored radiator with slightly dented tanks that went to the crusher. I would have given it to you. Anyway I achieved best in SA and 100 points plus rating. Had to show them the inlet pipe & that I had every correct decal Which was easy.


Work in progress.

 

Work in progress. Even have the correct clutch fluid cap now new with raised centre & hole. Even replaced EVERY harness on this car with correct fabric covering with blue fleck.

 

Inlet Air pipe finally arrived so I can now fit that with one of Alan Wiedie's purpose made rubber collars that are no longer available.

 

Glyn:

Your car is a model of perfection - simply beautiful in every respect. An honest question: do you drive it regularly?

 

Prof ~ Now that it's been rated, I drive it at every fine day opportunity. I wanted it rated once. This is no trailer queen ~ if I can't drive it I don't want it. I seem to have a delaminated engine mount (like Cass had ~ seems a bad batch got out there ~ I have new). Radiator saved by my car having the 3 engine stabiliser mounts. So some work to do. These were removed on later cars under the British Leyland era to save money. Had a slight pinion seal leak. This seems to have stopped and oil level is correct. Was about to inject 2% seal swell additive but seems to have settled with use. I worked so hard on that diff to align tooth contact perfectly & get pinion preload correct & it's dead silent. Just finishing some home renovations that Covid put a stop to. And will have some more fun. (She's under her BRG cover in the garage with maintenance charger on). I will not drive it in the rain on wet roads. Too difficult to clean underneath. Has it's first minor dent thanks to the electricians on the front wheel arch protrusion/lip, above the bumper. No broken paint. I think Dent Magic will be able to rub it out.

 

I am glad that Popstacle asked about thermostats since the subject is completely confusing. The parts book says C13944 for earlier 3.4 and 3.8 Mk2 engines and C20766 for later (the changeover was in the 3.8 LC xxxx range , 70-75C opening temp). Neither of these part numbers are recognized on SNG or Moss and I don't know if they have the sleeve. The C3731 number above does not even show as valid for 3.4/3.8 Mk2 applications. According to SNG, it is for 3.4 MK1 only. It is good for 3.8 E-Types, though, which makes the Mk2 information a little suspicious. I'm guessing that the SNG info is simply wrong. My LE series 3.8 Mk2 does have the bypass slot so I assume that the sleeve would be a good idea.

 

Huh ~ My Smoothride wire wheel balancing kit just arrived. Now I can fit my Michelins. I don't trust my 20 year old new Generals.

 

There is an error in the Parts Manual. Right picture/diagram. Wrong Part Number. We all found that a long way back. Fit the shrouded thermostat as above ONLY.

 

What is that brass thing stuck in there in the thermostat housing from post #5 ?
It looks like something left over from a broken thermostat, I've never seen that before if it's supposed to be there.

 

Jeff. I too was puzzled by that. It looks to me as though this car has never had coolant in it & that the shroud & top body of the Thermostat have corroded into the cover. Bit of a mess which is why I would replace it. The whole thermostat housing is shot & the thermostat has come apart in the process of removing the cover..