What have you done to your wagon lately? (Let's keep the thread going!)

That paper gasket is all the gasket you need. Add a thin coating of Permatex to each side of gasket or each surface.
Some thermotat housings do use only a thin rubber O-ring instead. How are the upper and lower radiator hoses? Squeeze them to see if they feel firm or squishy. Might be time to also replace those hoses.
I'd check with the auto parts store about the thermostat gasket.

 

The hoses look fine to me. Thanks for the Permatex tip.

Also, The plastic surrounding the radiator fan broke. It looks like it was glued together before, though. As long as I glue it well and don't lean on it again I think it should work.

 

Some plastics need a special glue to hold. Not sure what the fans need. Gorilla Glue?

 

The fan and fan blades are fine, the plastic around the fan is broken. I have Gorilla Glue. Thanks.

 

Another thing; Does it matter which way I point the thermostat? I got the gasket sealant.

 

Yes it does matter, but I always have to look before I pull the old one out.

 

That is "IF" the old one was installed properly, BTW... I thought all packaging for these now had a "this end up/in/install like this" self explanatory picture??

Anyways.............. 5.0/302 is 5.0/302 all day long,


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utYAIlz5R00


.

 

They show which end goes up and I think there is an arrow and the word FRONT . Anyway the spring with the pill looking part goes down in the hole.
Not all new modern thermostats are created equal. Hope you got name brand.

 

Alrighty, Thanks. Helpful stuff.

Also, while I was leaning over the car the plastic around the fan (not the fan or fan blades) broke. It was repaired once before, from the looks of it. So I have that to glue too!

 

I cleaned and cleaned on the wagon today, then went to a local cruise in...





Cruising back home down the highway at 55...



Well, sometimes closer to 60.

 

Kingswood your wagon looks great. Stay alive doin 55.

 

Thanks!

Looks ok from a distance, but in dire need of body work.

 

Kingswood, have you checked the speedometer of your wagon with a GPS? I was checking the speed on the GPS compared to the Mercury and the GPS said I was going 55 MPH when the car's speedometer needle was on 60 MPH. The car speedometer is accurate enough in the 15-30 range but above that it gradually reads higher and higher than it is.

I'm working on the Mercury again. The Thermostat is on, and now I have a question: What am I supposed to torque the metal fittings (that the pipes attach to) on the radiator to? (I'm not talking about hose clamps.) I don't have a shop manual for the car now.

 

'57 Chevy 150 Wagon Lives!

Sitting in the garage for at least 6 years. Finally got a little time to play with the wagon yesterday, bolted in the new battery box, a charged battery, checked all the connections and cranked her over just to get everything moving and lubed. So far so good, fresh gas to the tank.... then new leak, a small pin hole, added a small bit of underwater JB Weld, good stuff for a temporary repair. (I have a new tank but the rear needs to come down to install it...soon) Patch held. Cranked her up again, fuel to the filter then off she goes! 327 Sounding good, no leaks no bad noises no issues. Warmed up choke off idles smooth, shut down, changed oil & filter, restarted all good! Couldnt wipe off my grin with a stick. Next weekend wheels & tires and a driveway cruise. Thanks for listening! unc

 

'57 Chevy 150 Wagon Lives!

:2_thumbs_up_-_anima Have fun changing the gas tank.Do it soon.