guys...need a bit of help on a thermostat installation..should the t-stat be loose or tight in the water pump neck? Mine is loose..should I get shims to tighten it up? jus wondering..new pump and a P-car newbie to boot.

 

It should be tight and look like this:

 

There is a rubber seal that goes around the outside lip of the thermostat, and then a large metal washer (so the snap ring doesn't push against the rubber).

 

please look at the PET 6 or a service manual - if you use the brass thermostat, there is a special seal that has a grove in it that goes around the brass to insulate the brass from the aluminum and prevent galvantic corrosion. STANT sells a stainless steel thermostat and recommends an O-ring instead of the special seal - that will work also. With the seal in place there should be no play in the thermostat. Note that if you use the Stant thermostat with the O-ring, the O-ring goes behind the thermostat.

 

Thanks for the info..will tighten things up apparently lacking the shim or big metal washer..engine apart now..easy fix....thanks again.