4.3L Alpha One Thermostat

[daveplot]

I have a 96 Mercruiser 4.3L Alpha One engine. I am trying to remove the thermostat from the housing to replace it. I can't seem to figure out how to get the retaining sleeve out of the housing. From what I see it's a plastic sleve, and I don't believe it has ever been removed.

Any tips?

The S/N is of288605 if it helps identify the engine better.

 

[Don S]

Re: 4.3L Alpha One Thermostat

That plastic sleeve is probably stuck in the housing from rust. Use whatever is necessary to get it out. If all else fails any you have to break it, you will need a new one, but it has to come out. They cost about 7 bucks.

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: 4.3L Alpha One Thermostat

That plastic sleeve is probably stuck in the housing from rust. Use whatever is necessary to get it out. If all else fails any you have to break it, you will need a new one, but it has to come out. They cost about 7 bucks.

BTW $7.00 for a buck'n a half part is one reason boating is soooooooo expencive.

 

[Don S]

Re: 4.3L Alpha One Thermostat

BTW $7.00 for a buck'n a half part is one reason boating is soooooooo expencive.

A buck'n a half is what it costs in automotive that makes MILLIONS of items like that. In marine it's only THOUSANDS of them. Wanna guess where the price break is?

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: 4.3L Alpha One Thermostat

Don,
I am in manufacturing, granted, at no where near the automotive level. And I know your not putting $5.50 in your pocket every time you sell a replacement. But they still produce those components by the thousands every year. I can have something similar to that tooled and manufactured in that quantity for less than $2.00 a piece, amortizing the tooling over less than 3 years. BTW in automotive that part would be less than .75 cents cost. And Don, did not mean to start a pizzing contest here.

 

[daveplot]

Re: 4.3L Alpha One Thermostat

That plastic sleeve is probably stuck in the housing from rust. Use whatever is necessary to get it out.

I got it out, had to use a screwdriver and hammer to crack it, then was able to pry it out. Had to hit the thermostat a few times to get it out too.

Thanks!

Now for the thermostat, the manual lists part 805273--1. Mercury Parts Express lists:

807252T 1 --- 140 Deg
807252T 2 --- 160 Deg

Would this engine have the 140 deg normally or the 160?

 

[Don S]

Re: 4.3L Alpha One Thermostat

If it's a raw water cooled engine and you use it in salt or brackish water, use the 140?
If in freshwater or you have a closed cooling system with a heat exchanger, you should use a 160? stat.

 

[daveplot]

Re: 4.3L Alpha One Thermostat

Thanks, 140 is is.