The thermostat stays in! I appreciate all of your knowlege and always listen and do as you teach. So many others learn from all of us to keep these cars around for years to come.

He said that there are metal collapsible O rings that should do the job, I'll see.

The smaller thermostat that I believe is the correct size that i passed on to buy the one on the car is two inches according to Napa. The one that was on there resting on the cylinder head just covers the hole. Someone said I could get a metal O ring slightly larger than the small thermostat and use that instead of the snap ring that Packard has. Your thoughts. It seems easier to buy today. I'm not near the car now to measure the outside of housing. I'm on the way to a parts store.

Do I need the thermostat here in So. California? It's usually 65-85 degrees? I'd like your thoughts.

Oops that is the way it was when I took it off. There was no ring to hold it. It was that way for many years. It was resting directly on the cylinder head hole. Are you sure it should be up into the housing on this car?ok I'll get a ring. I remember the bumps inside the housing for this purpose.

Oops that is the way it was when I took it off. There was no ring to hold it. It was that way for many years. It was resting directly on the cylinder head hole. Are you sure it should be up into the housing on this car?

I also made a hole in the gasket slightly larger to go around the thermostat.

So I fixed it after the fifth try and when they sold me the correct product. I used Permatex number two non-hardening sealant. There was a crack on the inside of the housing that recently surfaced so I bought J-B Weld put it on the inside and outside and all leaks stopped. Hey, what could go wrong......did. Now my girl is ready to drive again.

Thanks, it is a small pin hole that leaks coolant where the flat surface meets the cylinder line by the bolt. Just started yesterday, probably from tightening it too much??

I will get Loctite today, a file and JB Weld, any particular kind, they have many. I will sand it and cover the line all around the housing, using enough to hopefully make a good weld.

I have been putting the gasket onto the housing. Should it be put onto the head? Do I put the thermostat on first and then the gasket and housing? finally, do I put sealant around the thermostat (as well as around the edges).? Final details. This will be my final try before having it towed to a radiator shop. Ouch! I will use Loctite as recommended. Any other details are most welcomed. I want this to be the greatest outcome. #1 sticking to it until successful. I kept the 160 and can easily put it on.