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
I have one for a 84 is it the same?
I am not too sure? I would assume so. Is it new?
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.
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.
Take a photo of your thermostat someone here may have one
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.
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!
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.
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?
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!!!
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
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.
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.
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.
Uncle colcol should know about 156 thermostats, as he has had his over 5 years and is on to his 3rd thermostat, the good 33 has a paper gasket and no o ring, never done an Alfetta thermostat and when joestram said there was no gasket, ithought he must have already pulled it out, which is always a good idea, so that you can see that the new one looks like the old one, Colin.
Pic of 105 thermostat housing on the Alfetta motor.
Thanks Neil and Colin for your comments. Received the thermostat from Domenic so am going to change this over on Monday if the weather is good. Do I need anything special when I put the hoses back on (like a sealant) or will the hose clamps be enough? Also, just to confirm, is it just a matter or pulling up the old one and putting in the new one? Sounds too simple?
No sealant required on hoses, but check condition of hose clamps, the clamp screws should turn freely and the worms not damaged on clamp and sometimes the thermostat is marked <engine or >radiator, with arrows pointing towards its destination, Colin.
Thanks Colin :)
Sorry about the rookie questions - I really appreciate the guidance.
Thanks everyone
Joe
Thats allright, we were all rookies once, Colin.
Hi Guys,
Just an update, did the swap today and can't believe how easy it was. I was overthinking/complicating the whole procedure.
Car is now operational but is in desperate need of a tune! Who knows how to tune a carb with oversize jets/warm cams? Any advice?
Thanks
Joe
glad you got it together Joestream. Another option I used was to grind the alfetta thermostat housing out to accept a Tridon or any standard type thermostat. Just don't put it in upside down....