One thing I have found with the temp gauge sender by the oil filter...... The electrical connection is a "push on" type used by Ford for temp gauge and oil pressure senders since at least the 1960s (probably to ease assembly on the production line). The push on connector looses tension with the "screw thread" output stud of the sender and increases the resistance of the connection causing the temp gauge to read low. Tried several things over the years to improve the connection with so so results (as noted, that thing is HARD to access!!). My (hopefully) final solution was to put a zip tie around the push on connector to keep the split barrel connection tighter and then jam some stranded copper wire (18 AWG or so) inside the barrel connector so it was very hard to push on the sensor. Seems to have worked for the last year or so (fingers crossed!)
Jeff Korn
88 Turbo Coupe: Intake and exhaust mods, T3 turbo at 24 psi, forced air IC, water injection, BPV, Ranger cam, subframes, etc., etc.
86 Tbird 5.0 (original owner): intake, exhaust, valvetrain mods, 100 HP N2O, ignition, gears, suspension, etc., etc.
11 Crown Vic Interceptor
14 Toyota Camry (wifes car)
95 Taurus GL Vulcan winter beater
67 Honda 450 Super Sport - completely customized
(08-12-2020, 11:40 PM)Rob H Wrote: Alright, I've got the Standard Motor TS58 as well as their FJ20 injectors sitting in my cart. I don't see a Motorcraft thermostat. If I can't get a Motorcraft through Ford should I get a Stant OE from Rock Auto( https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php...=13&jsn=13) , or something else? The Stant says it comes with the seal, not sure the type. As for the permanent gasket, I'm not sure but I think I see Stant has one ( https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php...3&jsn=5503 )listed for .21 cents CDN which I guess in US would be free probably?
Also, anyone know what happened to the options for messages? I dont see anyway to embed links or pics, bold, colour etc.
Yeah I saw that as well (missing options). Andrew might know what’s going on; is BJL still the Administrator here? (I might have that wrong.)
Another proud dues-paying member.
1987 Turbo Coupe w/T5OD, 8.8 axle, grey smoke; most options. Got it in 1991 with 41K miles: 3 turbos, 2 heater cores, 3 T5OD full rebuilds, 6 clutches, 1 head gasket, 2 Teves II ABS units, etc. later....
(08-12-2020, 11:40 PM)Rob H Wrote: Alright, I've got the Standard Motor TS58 as well as their FJ20 injectors sitting in my cart. I don't see a Motorcraft thermostat. If I can't get a Motorcraft through Ford should I get a Stant OE from Rock Auto( https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php...=13&jsn=13) , or something else? The Stant says it comes with the seal, not sure the type. As for the permanent gasket, I'm not sure but I think I see Stant has one ( https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php...3&jsn=5503 )listed for .21 cents CDN which I guess in US would be free probably?
Also, anyone know what happened to the options for messages? I dont see anyway to embed links or pics, bold, colour etc.
The Stant 45820 SuperStat 192 Degrees Fahrenheit Thermostat did not have a gasket or seal in the box even though it listed it in the description. Whether it was just missing out of the packaging I am not sure. I had a paper gasket that I used instead. Never knew there was another seal option that anasazi4st mentioned.
1988 TC, 5 spd, Stinger 3" Exhaust, Schneider Roller Cam, -4° Cam Pulley, Cone Filter, Gilles Boost Control Valve set at 17 psi, Walbro 255 lph, CHE Rear Lower and Upper Control Arms, Braided Brake Lines, Hawk HPS 5.0 Front and HPS (F) Rear, CRES Inserts in front calipers, and '93 Cobra Wheels with General 235/50R17 Tires.
I’ve had mine now for at least 5 years, I’d have to look in the Repair Log to verify that.
Speaking of which, might I respectfully request you keep one? Mine goes back to when I got the car in 1991. Every part replaced or service performed is faithfully recorded there, along with part #s, where I got it, dates and mileages. While I wouldn’t doubt I’ve likely missed a few minor ones over the past 29 years, it’s still a very valuable guide that tells me if and when I’ve replaced a part or performed a service. I certainly didn’t think I would still be driving my TC 29 years later (and counting!), but I am very happy I did think to write things down back then, there would be no going back to try and reconstruct that now.
I also have the repair records for the 4 years before I owned it, from the previous owner.
Another proud dues-paying member.
1987 Turbo Coupe w/T5OD, 8.8 axle, grey smoke; most options. Got it in 1991 with 41K miles: 3 turbos, 2 heater cores, 3 T5OD full rebuilds, 6 clutches, 1 head gasket, 2 Teves II ABS units, etc. later....
I'm definitely going to start keeping a log. I'm disappointed that I haven't already, keep thinking I'll just grab a little notebook at the dollar store put it in the glove compartment. Weeks turn into years and then you start to forget all the things you've done.
I haven't looked too hard yet for that gasket, might be able to get it from a parts store here.. I looked it up online and it popped up on Amazon the US site. Only about $5. Open up the amazon Canada app on my phone and search for it. Doesn't look at first like it's readily available but then I see it...
Come on, give me a break!!
08-14-2020, 02:43 AM (This post was last modified: 08-14-2020, 02:46 AM by vegas_ss.)
I had used the thicker felpro one before, worked well, but it actually didn't work for me the last time I installed a thermostat. I changed over to allen head bolts since it's easier to get the thermostat or timing cover off and had a few different lengths since the bolt holes aren't open at the back (at least one of them if I remember correctly) and the thicker gasket combined with a thicker housing flange had me in between bolt lengths. Ended up using the thin gasket with rtv sealant on both sides and that worked just fine.
The felpro gasket is good and not messy, I never considered it a permanent gasket though as the sealant on the gasket does compress and form a seal when installed and run at operating temps... not sure I would reuse it and actually didn't.
Using the thinner gasket with RTV will be fine, trying to find a good housing where the thermostat seals well in the outlet is another story. I've found the housings with the thinner flange (like the stock ones) seem to seal better but most of the ones available have a much thicker flange so be sure to get some proper length bolts if changing either the gasket or housing thickness from stock.
1987 TC, 5sp, Boport Stage 3 Head/2.1 Cam
1996 Impala SS, DCM, Borla Cat Back, too much other stuff!!! (SOLD)
2009 Pontiac G8 GXP 6M, 6.2l LS3, Kooks Long Tube, Hi Flo Cats, Mild Cam
08-14-2020, 04:42 AM (This post was last modified: 08-14-2020, 04:45 AM by Rob H.)
Well I got lucky RockAuto has it. https://www.rockauto.com/en/parts/fel-pr...+seal,2136
Anyone want to chime in on what thermostat I should get? I know Mikey suggested the stant superstat. In another post of mine Jeff cautioned to stay away from the failsafe stats as they often fail in the closed position. But I dont know which ones those are.
I'm still waiting to hear back from Ford to see if they can get me a motocraft one.
The Stant superstat has some interesting info regarding the v-notch design and both have a decent looking rubber seal.
You may want to pick up a thermostat housing as they can get pretty corroded. The thermostat needs to seal well in the housing to maintain closed loop temps... the four seasons housing on rockauto is less that $10 and may be useful to have on hand.
It will also come with a thinner gasket (the thermostats should too) which may be needed depending on the bolt length you have. You can most likely use the thicker felpro gasket with the stock housing which has a thin flange but if you use the replacement housing with the thicker flange and the thicker gasket, you will need longer bolts. Problem is they need to be just slightly longer as they will bottom out if too long and then you will have quite a leak!
1987 TC, 5sp, Boport Stage 3 Head/2.1 Cam
1996 Impala SS, DCM, Borla Cat Back, too much other stuff!!! (SOLD)
2009 Pontiac G8 GXP 6M, 6.2l LS3, Kooks Long Tube, Hi Flo Cats, Mild Cam
