Cork Gasket in Thermostat Housing

[liquidlew]

I'm putting my thermostat housing w/ new thermo back on the manifold (1989 4.3 Merc) and noticed a small cork washer/gasket that came in the package but not sure where it goes. I didn't see one anywhere on the manifold or housing when I took it apart. It's a Quiksilver part but no instructions were included. The only place it would seem to fit is in a recess in the opening on the manifold? Got everything else back together right, O ring, sleeve, and top and bottom gaskets. Don't want to put it on the manifold until I find out where it goes or if I even need it? Sorry, can't post pics cuz I can't get them small enough. I have the "new style" housing which you can't get anymore. Do I need the cork and where does it go?

 

[sarantis]

Re: Cork Gasket in Thermostat Housing

not sure ,Don or others will help you better but i think you didn't notice the previous one because it become one with the rust .doesn't it fit below the thermostat ? i think it goes there to prevent corosion between the two different metals of housing and thermostat.

 

[Mkos1980]

Re: Cork Gasket in Thermostat Housing

Cork goes in first into the thermo housing, then the thermo, then the steel or plastic sleeve. The sleeve will hang out a hair outside the housing. When You put it back on the intake, the bottom of the sleeve will fit into the recess in the manifold.

Now that I re-read I think you have the 6 hole thermostat. In that case I think you omit the cork gasket. If would be rubber O ring, then thermo then sleeve.

 

[liquidlew]

Re: Cork Gasket in Thermostat Housing

Thanks Mkos, my first thought was that I don't need the cork gasket, I do have the 6 hose housing and the rubber O ring is in there under the new thermostat, then the sleeve goes in on top of the thermo. There is also a kind of shiney silver gasket with a square tab on one side and odd double bolt hole openings that came in the package and I assume that is for the other type of housing and I don't use that either, I use the hard gasket with the little copper (or brass?) rivet like things between the housing and manifold. That's what was in there when I took it apart but didn't see any cork gasket. Thanks!

 

[hal2814]

Re: Cork Gasket in Thermostat Housing

I just changed out my thermostat in the 6-hose housing. That little cork ring is not needed. Inside the housing from bottom to top is o-ring, thermostat, spacer, gasket, metal lid, and lift ring if you have one. I think the cork ring goes to the second thermostat housing mentioned in the service manual for 4.3L engines.