Vintage Precision Thermostat Housing

[PalAl]

I have reviewed past posts about the Vintage Precision Thermostat Housing and was considering making the purchase, before I dig deep into my wallet I was curious to know if the members who have installed and those who were going to install them on their car were happy with them. Do they work as expected, any improvements? Your thoughts and comments would be appreciated. Thanks in advance

[duke36]

Lot's of good reviews about the housing with a caveat that many folks including some engine rebuilders are still not relegated to using a thermostat in a low pressure system like the A and without a bypass hose to the rear cylinders.

[norcalal]

I highly recommend one for any tour car. Thermostat is in the right place, works well. Have one in all cars I tour with.

[Synchro909]

I use the one on the top hose in all of my cars. They work just fine and don't involve any "extra bits" bolted on.
Next time I rebuild a motor, I think I will run a hose from the water return pipe to the back of the block. Does anybody have any info on just where is the best palce to locate it back there and how to best do it?

[30 Closed Cab PU]

Originally Posted by Synchro909

I use the one on the top hose in all of my cars. They work just fine and don't involve any "extra bits" bolted on.
Next time I rebuild a motor, I think I will run a hose from the water return pipe to the back of the block. Does anybody have any info on just where is the best palce to locate it back there and how to best do it?

Others can correct me if I am wrong, just started running a thermostat in the upper hose with 3 extra bypass holes, have not tried the VP.


Typically a line is run from one of the ports on the precision to either the Block coolant input (vendors have a replacement neck with a boss drilled a coolant gauge probe, can be used for bypass), or to the heater port on the back of the engine/cylinder 4. There is discussion/opinion that it is best to use the heater port as the best way.

[Synchro909]

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Originally Posted by 30 Closed Cab PU

Others can correct me if I am wrong, just started running a thermostat in the upper hose with 3 extra bypass holes, have not tried the VP.


Typically a line is run from one of the ports on the precision to either the Block coolant input (vendors have a replacement neck with a boss drilled a coolant gauge probe, can be used for bypass), or to the heater port on the back of the engine/cylinder 4. There is discussion/opinion that it is best to use the heater port as the best way.

I run 2 extra holes at 3 mm dia.
Heater port? I haven't seen any sort of heater on a model A here so I am unaware of a heater port at the back of the block. Can you elaborate please.
I was thinking along the lines of a hose from a fitting I would put in the return pipe from the bottom of the radiator to the back of the block to help them keep cooler.

[30 Closed Cab PU]

I saw a coolant bypass someone fabricated, and it showed the bypass routed to the back (firewall) side of the motor. Asked and did not get a clear answer about if there was a port/fitting there . The answer indicated he used existing ports. However I just went out and look/felt around on my motor in my A and did not find one. So seems what I saw online is someone drilled and tapped a port with the motor out and head off.


Looking in the different vendor catalogs there are a lot of different ways to hook up a coolant heater. Vender available; coolant inlet necks, outlet necks, lower coolant pipe, and an upper hose inserted pipe - all with bosses/etc. drilled to accept fittings. You are probably already aware of these. Berts even has a kit with all the fittings and lower coolant pipe.
https://modelastore.com/index.php?ro...tegory_id=0ose pipe.

[30 Closed Cab PU]

Her is the correct link for berts kit
Type in "heater kit", correct link changes when copy and inserted into my post.

[steve s]

I've used the VP product for many years with no problem. My Ford has had a thermostat in it since I became aware of their existence in 1960. I have an aftermarket hot wateer heater since 1961, but shut off flow to it in summer. I have always used one or two 1/8" holes in stats. My only issue with the block; it looks sort of clunky . Very high quality, well made, has two by pass holes machined into block.

[Chris Haynes]

I would love to have one of these for a Riley OHV conversion.

[steve s]

Originally Posted by Chris Haynes

I would love to have one of these for a Riley OHV conversion.

I don't think there's a place to attach it. HEre's some photos of it and various alternatives I've used over the years-- all with one or two 1/8" holes for bypass circulation.

[barkleydave]

We are running three VP housings with APCO temp gauges. Nice housing fits perfectly... use a small amount of Red RTV no gasket required. Easy to get to thermostat without messing with hoses. I needed an O ring I lost one and they sent me 4 NO CHARGE!

I did the in the hose thing... not worth it too restrictive and extra clamps to leak.
Best $100 bucks you can spend on your cooling system. Housing fits ALL 28-31'S

[duke36]

Originally Posted by 30 Closed Cab PU

I saw a coolant bypass someone fabricated, and it showed the bypass routed to the back (firewall) side of the motor. Asked and did not get a clear answer about if there was a port/fitting there . The answer indicated he used existing ports. However I just went out and look/felt around on my motor in my A and did not find one. So seems what I saw online is someone drilled and tapped a port with the motor out and head off.


Looking in the different vendor catalogs there are a lot of different ways to hook up a coolant heater. Vender available; coolant inlet necks, outlet necks, lower coolant pipe, and an upper hose inserted pipe - all with bosses/etc. drilled to accept fittings. You are probably already aware of these. Berts even has a kit with all the fittings and lower coolant pipe.
https://modelastore.com/index.php?ro...tegory_id=0ose pipe.

Yes; A pipe is routed from a new hole drilled/ tapped in the rear block above the right fly housing bolt and then around the lower left side and up to the Prec stat port.