Thermostat Housing Corroded Away...?

Tech tips and how to's

Moderators: notoptoy, S Allen, Solex68

Post Reply
User avatar
Bungle
Roadster Fanatic
Posts: 86
Joined: Sun Apr 24, 2005 5:01 am
Location: Brisbane, Australia

Thermostat Housing Corroded Away...?

Post by Bungle »

On my way down to the hardware my roadster dumped its radiator fluid. I pulled over and check it out. Turns out the part (no sure what it's called so I called it thermostat housing) with the water outlet to the top radiator hose had corroded so badly it's sprung a big leak. I loosened off the hose clamp and shimmied the hose as far as I could to cover the offending leak, topped up the fluid and limped back home.

I have a spare 1600 long motor, and what I thought was a perfect replacement part for this bit - but it turns out the two parts look quite different...?

I've added a couple of photos - the one with the radiator cap is the corroded part and the one without the cap is the part that is on a R16 but looks different...

Can anyone shed any light on this for me or at least give me the correct name for the part so I can track down a new one??

Cheers, John
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
John
'66 1600
User avatar
zippy67roadster
Roadster Fanatic-Site Supporter
Posts: 1397
Joined: Tue Dec 08, 2009 4:43 pm
Location: Cameron, Texas
Model: 1500/1600
Year: Low Windshield-64-67.5
Contact:

Re: Thermostat Housing Corroded Away...?

Post by zippy67roadster »

There were 3 hole and 4 hole versions made and you happen to have one of each! You can buy a new tower from Dean at Datsunparts.com as he has both.
1967 Datsun SPL311-08935-vintage race car
1967 Datsun SPL311-10123 project
1967 Datsun 411 wagon
67.5 SPL311 Vintage Race car project
64 NL320 Pickup Truck
Brian
http://www.sincitydatsuns.com
https://www.facebook.com/sincitydatsuns
User avatar
Bungle
Roadster Fanatic
Posts: 86
Joined: Sun Apr 24, 2005 5:01 am
Location: Brisbane, Australia

Re: Thermostat Housing Corroded Away...?

Post by Bungle »

Thanks mate. Just my luck! Ok will try to track down a 4-hole version (or is it a 2-hole - some sites call it a 2 hole?). If anyone on this forum has a decent 2nd hand one they're willing to sell me, please let me know. Cheers, John
John
'66 1600
User avatar
Curtis
Site Supporter
Posts: 4049
Joined: Fri Jan 01, 2010 2:49 pm
Location: Des Moines, WA
Model: 1500/1600
Year: Low Windshield-64-67.5

Re: Thermostat Housing Corroded Away...?

Post by Curtis »

The top photo is the extra long motor? If so you have owner fabbed up housing or something off another motor. It has 2 holes on the bottom like the stock, but 3 holes on the top it appears. No such stock housing for a 1600.

If the bottom photo is your driver then that is stock housing with 2 studs to the head plus 2 screws for the top. You'll have to ask someone for decent used one.
66 stroker, almost done.
67 basket case, paint coming soon.
User avatar
Bungle
Roadster Fanatic
Posts: 86
Joined: Sun Apr 24, 2005 5:01 am
Location: Brisbane, Australia

Re: Thermostat Housing Corroded Away...?

Post by Bungle »

Thanks to Tim for supplying a good 2nd hand part. A bit of mix-n-match with the filler neck (my original was larger in diameter than what Tim sent) and a Ford Fairlane thermostat gasket :? got me sorted in no time.

Here's the offending part. Does anyone think there's a way to repair this to make a spare?

I refuse to discard old parts no matter how rough they may be...

Image
John
'66 1600
User avatar
notoptoy
Vendor-Site Supporter
Posts: 9674
Joined: Fri Oct 02, 2009 2:55 pm
Location: Winston-Salem, NC and Ocala, FL
Contact:

Re: Thermostat Housing Corroded Away...?

Post by notoptoy »

That one belongs in the rubbish bin I'm afraid...and I too hate to through potentially good things away!
"When all else fails, force prevails!" Ummm, we're gonna need a bigger hammer here.

67.5 SPL311 H20 w/5 speed
65 Impala Convertible
2017 C43 AMG
User avatar
fj20spl311
Roadsteraholic
Posts: 5007
Joined: Mon Nov 28, 2005 3:54 pm
Location: San Diego, Ca

Re: Thermostat Housing Corroded Away...?

Post by fj20spl311 »

It could be done, If I was outback and needed to get home I would find a metal sleeve to JB Weld inside the water outlet. I would take a rasp or die grinder to the inside before installing the pipe, then fill the notch with JB Weld and file to fit.
Phil
67.5 SRL311-00148 Blue (FJ cruiser VOODOO Blue)
67.5 SPL311 FJ20E teal SDS EFI
69 SRL311 SOLD
19 Raptor SCAB
User avatar
Curtis
Site Supporter
Posts: 4049
Joined: Fri Jan 01, 2010 2:49 pm
Location: Des Moines, WA
Model: 1500/1600
Year: Low Windshield-64-67.5

Re: Thermostat Housing Corroded Away...?

Post by Curtis »

Well I bought a nice one today for $5 at our swap meet.
66 stroker, almost done.
67 basket case, paint coming soon.
User avatar
Linda
Fraternal Den Mother-RIP
Posts: 7807
Joined: Sat Nov 05, 2005 11:37 pm
Location: Los Angeles
Model: 1500/1600
Year: High Windshield-68-70

Re: Thermostat Housing Corroded Away...?

Post by Linda »

Keep the top at least.
Linda
Sadly-Linda has passed away 2022. She was the 311's den mother and drove the first Rare-Parts ball joint project. RIP.
User avatar
spl310
Roadster Guru
Posts: 13202
Joined: Sun Dec 29, 2002 10:38 pm
Location: In front of this keyboard... in Jacksonville, Florida!

Re: Thermostat Housing Corroded Away...?

Post by spl310 »

A welding shop could weld in a piece of aluminum tube.
"Wow, a Roadster!" Stuart Little

1967.5 2000
1967.5 2000
1964 1500
1964 1500
1967.5 1600
1968 chassis
2006 Acura MDX
2013 Volkswagen Jetta TDI wagon
1995 F350 Powerstroke!
More...
User avatar
Bungle
Roadster Fanatic
Posts: 86
Joined: Sun Apr 24, 2005 5:01 am
Location: Brisbane, Australia

Re: Thermostat Housing Corroded Away...?

Post by Bungle »

Good idea. I've got a guy who works on my motorbikes who can do decent aluminum welding. Cheers.
John
'66 1600
Post Reply