t-stat housing energency need help asap

[97dieselstroke]

So im probably gonna get flamed for asking this but two of the three tstat housing bolts broke on me and i need to get home. do you think jb welding the housing to the waterpump will hold as a temp fix to get me back to fix it right?? any inputs appreciated. thanks derek

[1Dieselman]

Unfortunately you only have two choices as I see it. Either replace the pump, or drill out the old bolts. Replacing the pump is going to save you a lot of aggravation but obviously cost more. Jb weld is good but I would never expect it to hold the thermostat housing on even under perfect circumstances.

[97dieselstroke]

Well i dragged the ol girl home and proceded to fight with her all damn day. i drilled the two broken bolts out and went to put it all back together now it leaks out of the housing at the base. grrrr this is very aggravating!!! i give up for the night. im freezing and covered in coolent. anybody think rtv on the flange would work or am i chasing my tail. The old girl must not want to plow tonight.

[1Dieselman]

If a new thermostat o-ring does not seal it then you are chasing your tail. Is your thermostat housing clean, smooth and the flange flat?

[97dieselstroke]

Yep new tstat and o ring. i thought it was flat and clean enough but obvously not...... im gonna stab at it again in the am and tear it apart again.

[Diesel_brad]

Or your t-stat hosing is warped(like almost all of them) Here is a fix
Ford 7 3L Powerstroke Navistar T444E Thermostat Housing Leak Fix Kit Mild Steel | eBay

I know I would of put a new water pump in that F*@% with 2 broken off bolts

[97dieselstroke]

Yeah its getting a new pump now. i just wanted to try a quick fix cause i would have loved to make some money tonight pushing snow but ohh well.

[Patrick Feeley]

Make sure the t-stat housing ears are slightly bent upwards so that the gasket will compress before the housing bottoms on the pump housing when the bolts are tightened. It doesn't have to be too much. Cheers!

[Laser]

Mine was leaking after I put a new waterpump in with a new O ring. I RTV'd it and it's leak free.

[Got4wd]

I haven't had any leaks on any of the water pumps I have put on with the new style thermostats. The old ones had that o ring that went on top of the thermostat. The new ones I have used have a split o ring and there's rubber on top and the bottom of the thermostat. Never an issue with this style. Old style yes.