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Author Topic: Where is the thermostat location on a 2.3L 1980 Pinto  (Read 2751 times)

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Offline MitchiePinto

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Where is the thermostat location on a 2.3L 1980 Pinto
« on: September 09, 2012, 06:03:19 PM »
Seems like the top rad hose goes straight to the pump, I can't seem to find a housing. Does the thermostat rest on top of the pump? Also when the lower rad hose stays ice cold and the top rad hose is burning hot dose this signify a stuck thermostat. Seems like I got no circulation of water when I look into the rad and it hardly builds up pressure in there with the cap on. Car overheats so bad that the oil boils and comes out of the PVC thing on the valve cover and that's just from idling.

Offline MitchiePinto

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Re: Where is the thermostat location on a 2.3L 1980 Pinto
« Reply #1 on: September 09, 2012, 08:46:14 PM »
oops put this topic in the wrong category cant figure out how to move it to the right one?

Offline r4pinto

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Re: Where is the thermostat location on a 2.3L 1980 Pinto
« Reply #2 on: September 09, 2012, 09:41:27 PM »
Not sure of the boiling oil part but on the 2.3 the thermostat is located off the top radiator hose. On the front of the cylinder head above the water pump is the water outlet. The thermostat is located in that water outlet. Two 10mm bolts hold the water outlet to the cylinder head. If the lower hose is cold & upper hose is hot it could mean that the coolant is not circulating due to a bad thermostat. Make sure when you get the thermostat you also get the thermostat gasket which is a rubber o-ring, as well as water outlet gasket
Matt Manter
1977 Pinto sedan- Named Harold II after the first Pinto(Harold) owned by my mom. R.I.P mom- 1980 parts provider & money machine for anything that won't fit the 80
1980 Pinto Runabout- work in progress

Offline MitchiePinto

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Re: Where is the thermostat location on a 2.3L 1980 Pinto
« Reply #3 on: September 10, 2012, 01:04:01 PM »
Thanks r4Pinto I found the thermostat location, I also just got back from the parts store and got the O-ring and thermostat, The thing is they told me they do not supply the housing gasket ? Also tried Napa on the way home and they don't have it. Would it be OK to reuse or fabricate a thin rubber gasket like would it hold up to the temperature? Also my thermostat (new one) open at 192 F should this be a problem.

Offline r4pinto

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Re: Where is the thermostat location on a 2.3L 1980 Pinto
« Reply #4 on: September 10, 2012, 01:17:18 PM »
For the temp of the thermostat you should be fine with the 192. As for the gasket Here is the part number. It is a Felpro gasket 35114. Should be in stock at all the auto parts stores since the 203 4 cylinder engine was used for many years.  In a pinch you could use some blue RTV but the paper gasket does seal a little better. There are two different gaskets with that same part number. One for 1.49 which is just a basic gasket or another one for 7.89 which has a bead of sealer around the gasket for better sealing. That one is 7.89. Advance auto parts, Auto zone, Oreily Auto parts or Napa should have the gasket you need to make sure it doesn't leak.
Matt Manter
1977 Pinto sedan- Named Harold II after the first Pinto(Harold) owned by my mom. R.I.P mom- 1980 parts provider & money machine for anything that won't fit the 80
1980 Pinto Runabout- work in progress

Offline MitchiePinto

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Re: Where is the thermostat location on a 2.3L 1980 Pinto
« Reply #5 on: September 10, 2012, 06:12:05 PM »
Well I must say its a bastard trying to get the lower 2nd bolt off the hosing b/c the fan pulley is in your way as well as the timing belt cover. After taking it off and cleaning the old gasket with a brass scarpper I noticed a lot of corrosion damage on the plate of the housing. Also with the thermostat the parts place gave me the wrong part its to small to seal the housing I returned it then headed to another parts store where it looked right but nope its wrong its to tall for the housing. And I bought a new gasket the paper one and it leaks ? Should I file down the housing so its flat or just get the gasket with the beat of sealent I'm going to try Oreillys auto for the thermostat or napa

Offline r4pinto

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Re: Where is the thermostat location on a 2.3L 1980 Pinto
« Reply #6 on: September 10, 2012, 07:26:49 PM »
If the thermostat housing is damaged it should be replaced. It will never seal if it is corroded that badly.  They don't cost too much if you go through autozone.
Matt Manter
1977 Pinto sedan- Named Harold II after the first Pinto(Harold) owned by my mom. R.I.P mom- 1980 parts provider & money machine for anything that won't fit the 80
1980 Pinto Runabout- work in progress

Offline MitchiePinto

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Re: Where is the thermostat location on a 2.3L 1980 Pinto
« Reply #7 on: September 11, 2012, 06:07:53 PM »
Today I saved the housing I did some DIY machining with my dremel and fine sand paper.

So now it seals without the use of sealant paste

Thing is the part had to be ordered (the thermostat) and it take the next day so I couldn't wait so now I'm running it without a thermostat what is the possible problems this could cause?

Only thing I found with not running a thermostat is the temp is now all over the place and it takes a little longer to warm up

Also car runs a lot cooler but will start to overheat when at standstill idle but when you rev it it rapidly cools down?

Offline r4pinto

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Re: Where is the thermostat location on a 2.3L 1980 Pinto
« Reply #8 on: September 11, 2012, 06:15:44 PM »
With the thermostat out of the car there is a constant flow of coolant so it will cause issues warming up & will operate cooler. It won't cause the car to overheat at idle because the coolant is always circulating. Now keep in mind there is air in the system so that will burp out. The best way to do this is to remove the radiator cap when the engine is cool, start the engine & look in the radiator. You will want to add coolant as needed. Burping the cooling system will get rid of any air pockets that are in the cooling system. It is possible the air pockets are causing the car to run a little hot. Also how old is the water pump? it could be getting time to replace it as when they get old there could be enough wear in the shaft & bearing that it doesn't cool as well. best way to check it is to remove the fan & pulley & spin the water pump. If it spins very easily & keeps spinning it's time for a new one. Also check the water pump my wiggling the pulley to see if there is any play. It shouldn't have any play front to back or side to side.
Matt Manter
1977 Pinto sedan- Named Harold II after the first Pinto(Harold) owned by my mom. R.I.P mom- 1980 parts provider & money machine for anything that won't fit the 80
1980 Pinto Runabout- work in progress

Offline MitchiePinto

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Re: Where is the thermostat location on a 2.3L 1980 Pinto
« Reply #9 on: September 11, 2012, 06:38:33 PM »
I believe its still factory b/c its still factory painted. The car only has 53,000 kms so I don't think its going on me. My antifreeze is very dirty (been using junkyard 50 cent a gallon "recycled coolant" for about 2000kms now. I think a coolant flush is very much needed as its mostly brown looking but not anytime soon as I do not want to pay for store bought expensive coolant.

I think the overheating is because of my ignition timing and that it needs to be advanced to cope with my mild racing cam