I need some help, When my 3800SC was installed he didn't install a T housing. Why do some people install one and some people don't? I also noted that some have taken the small hose bib off of the T housing and some don't? Why? Also can someone show where and how the lines are connected. I hope who ever these img. belong to don't mind me using them.
When my 3800SC was installed he didn't install a T housing. Why do some people install one and some people don't? I also noted that some have taken the small hose bib off of the T housing and some don't?
Because we don't live in a state of totalitarianism.
The purpose of the thermostat housing is to provide a high fill point for the cooling system. The reason for the hose bib is that some prefer to put the heater core feed there. I prefer to put in at the connection to the LIM over the water pump. This is just another approach.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Flotech Afterburner Exhaust, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
I need some help, When my 3800SC was installed he didn't install a T housing. Why do some people install one and some people don't? I also noted that some have taken the small hose bib off of the T housing and some don't? Why? Also can someone show where and how the lines are connected. I hope who ever these img. belong to don't mind me using them.
Does your engine have something like this?
These are 3800 thermostat housings, your pictures show Fiero thermostat housings that have been modified to fit the 3800. On the Fiero ones, the large opening goes to the radiator (via the driver's side coolant tube), and the smaller opening goes to the heater core inlet.
The small nipple is used for one of the heater core lines...Depending on what year and how you wanna runs your heater core deplicts if you use that nipple or not....On 87/88s I run the modded housing with the nipple as there is only a supply heater core line needed and it works out well. On 86 down I will also use it with the nipple depending on the rest of the setup and where the car is going...If I use it on 86 down then I run the other heater core line to the plastic elbow that runs into the LIM and make a bracket to hold it in. For the longest time I did not run a thermostat until the cold weather was around then I would stick one in. Really saw no differance in the summer time with it in or out.....
So bottom line is you have to have some way to fill coolant at the engine. Your engine also has to have some way to circulate coolant through your heater core. You need to have a thermostat at the outlet to keep the coolant from circulating to the radiator until the correct operating temperature is reached in the engine. After that the thermostat needs to open and circulate coolant to the radiator. Beyond those requirements the way it is done is up to the builder.
The Fiero type thermostat housing is more elegant than using a hose fill point IMNSHO, but either will work.
[This message has been edited by phonedawgz (edited 01-15-2013).]
The small nipple is used for one of the heater core lines...Depending on what year and how you wanna runs your heater core deplicts if you use that nipple or not....On 87/88s I run the modded housing with the nipple as there is only a supply heater core line needed and it works out well. On 86 down I will also use it with the nipple depending on the rest of the setup and where the car is going...If I use it on 86 down then I run the other heater core line to the plastic elbow that runs into the LIM and make a bracket to hold it in. For the longest time I did not run a thermostat until the cold weather was around then I would stick one in. Really saw no differance in the summer time with it in or out.....
Is that info the same between the V6 and the I4 Duke? Thanks.
[This message has been edited by fieroall (edited 01-01-2012).]
It lacks the flange for the thermostat to sit in. It looks like the thermostat would not fit with the temp sensor installed. It looks like the thermostat might not even fit with the temp sensor removed.
[This message has been edited by phonedawgz (edited 01-15-2013).]
An adapter of some sort to use this thermostat housing would do the job making the coolant fill and bleeding easier and a second location for a coolant sensor. I will definitely look into this further. Thanks for the info. Dan
Two comments, one it may not fit, and two, the nipple on this one looks like its for coolant overflow not to feed the heater core. The heater core supply bung needs to be placed below the thermostat so that it is not effected by it in the closed position. At least that's what I understand.
I use a Fiero V-6 modded housing without the heater output most the time, your first pic is one i made. I run the heater core direct from the water pump and lower intake manifold. If they are keeping the stock alternator bracket then I just use the heater ouputs off it. On 87-88's I block off the return on the water pump.
+1 on that you can go with the heater hose nipple on or off of the housing.
+1 on that you need to have no 'overflow' outlet at the cap. The Fiero thermostat housing cap has no pressure release components. It only seals at the top of the housing flange. Any overflow on the thermostat housing would not work. A higher pressure than the radiator cap pressure would not work as a substitute to blocking off the overflow, since the cap is designed to allow flow back into the system from the overflow line. What would happen is when your engine is cool, engine coolant that is higher than the radiator would flow to your radiator, being replaced with the inlet of air. The coolant would then leak out of your radiator overflow tank.
Note also - you need to have the bottom half of your thermostat in, or quite close to the engine block, or have flow through the bottom of your thermostat housing. The one above is close to the block and should work fairly normal.
This one with it's heater outlet at the bottom of the thermostat allows coolant to flow past the bottom of the thermostat allowing it to work. Coolant always flows through the interior heater core, even with the A/C on, and the heater knob set to cold. The heater box adjusts the temp by diverting air around the hot heater core, or through the hot heater core.
---- Also - if for whatever reason you feel the need to move the CTS/Gauge to a location past the thermostat, you need to consider the problems it will cause. If the Coolant Temperature Sensor (used by the PCM) is past the thermostat, your engine won't run right when the engine is warming up, before the thermostat opens. If the gauge sender is past the thermostat and your thermostat fails closed, your engine would be running hot, but your gauge would show cold.
bottom line - keep the combo CTS/Gauge sender (aka 3 pin CTS) in the stock location and it will work correctly.
[This message has been edited by phonedawgz (edited 01-15-2013).]
does anyone still sell the V-6 modded housings. I was looking for an off the self part. I have found a few, but none that works as good as the stock fiero one. Thanks
does anyone still sell the V-6 modded housings. I was looking for an off the self part. I have found a few, but none that works as good as the stock fiero one. Thanks
West Coast Fiero makes them or can mod yours if you send it to them.
Look for the link in the engine swap section of their webpage
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