Rover V8 T-stat housing options?

[2winscrew]

need some help if someone has some insight

are there two options for T-stat housings on the Rover V8?

just getting ready to swap the factory radiator in my 1990 +8 (3.9l Rover V8) with a new aluminum piece

the problem simply put is....the factory rad has the upper rad hose snout on the lefthand side of the car/rad and the current T-stat housing leans left, towards the rad hose snout of the factory rad...makes for a nice simple 90 degree rad hose fairly straight forward

the new rad has the upper hose snout on the right hand side of the car/rad....so it's not optimal with the current T-stat housing leaning off in the wrong direction now

I've seen pictures of similar era cars with new aluminum rads (upper rad hose snout on the right hand side like my new rad) that must have had the same issue because the T-stat housing is different than mine (seems to lean "right and forward" versus "up and left") and the rad hose seems very straight forward

I'm quite sure I need one of these to properly complete this install

I'm further compounding my problem here by running a proper -24 AN SS hose with screw on fittings....so it leaves even less margin for leeway....and I've already cut and welded the rad to accomodate the AN threaded fitting

appreciate the help

sorry if this is confusing

cheers

Tim

[gomog]

2winscrew said:

need some help if someone has some insight
are there two options for T-stat housings on the Rover V8?

Sure. Actually there are more than that. I am aware of at least 6 including the Buick/Olds version. You are speaking to distributored EFIs Plus 8s (post Strombergs but pre-GEMS). This era (1984-1999) had two thermostats.

2winscrew said:

just getting ready to swap the factory radiator in my 1990 +8 (3.9l Rover V8) with a new aluminum piece. The problem simply put is....the factory rad has the upper rad hose snout on the left hand side of the car/rad and the current T-stat housing leans left, towards the rad hose snout of the factory rad...makes for a nice simple 90 degree rad hose fairly straight forward.

the new rad has the upper hose snout on the right hand side of the car/rad....so it's not optimal with the current T-stat housing leaning off in the wrong direction now
I've seen pictures of similar era cars with new aluminum rads (upper rad hose snout on the right hand side like my new rad) that must have had the same issue because the T-stat housing is different than mine (seems to lean "right and forward" versus "up and left") and the rad hose seems very straight forward

I'm quite sure I need one of these to properly complete this install

It is all my fault. Here is the story.

Morgan used Rover (sedan) V8s though the carb era. The first EFI Vs8 came out of Rover Vitesse sedans, spicy cams, flowed heads and, amongst other things a small thermostat housing. that canted to the right (if you are sitting in the car). The Plus 8 radiators were made to compliment that thermostat.



In 1987, Morgan supplier of V8s switched from Rover to Land Rover. They used thermostats that canted to the left, so Morgan switched the rad entry and the filler to compliment the Land Rover thermostat. See the picture above. You have the one on the right and you need the one on the left.

Then in 1998. I had the first Plus 8 NA ally radiator made by Griffin in North Carolina. They used it as a template. In 2002, I had the first ally rad made for my Plus 8 by Ron Davis Racing. They used it as a template too.

The people at those companies who knew me have left in the last year and now both companies forget or don't know to ask which side you need to hose and filler on or whether the rad is for a R&P car or pre-R&P.

The solution is simple. I did it with my UK car (made in 1990). Switch the thermostat. They are hard to find but Rpi has a store of them still. I would give you the address but that is prohibited on Pistonheads. Contact me off-group.

BTW, Mulfab in the UK makes super rads for Plus 8s. They cool better than the others (though all three are a lot better than stock) and they are super slim and easy to fit with BIG fans. Also, with the drop in the £ they are cheaper even with delivery factored in.

As well, for this inlet and filler stuff, Peter was ingenious (again). He simply makes the rads so you can swap sides for the filler and the top hose in a few seconds. see the pic below

2winscrew said:

I'm further compounding my problem here by running a proper -24 AN SS hose with screw on fittings....so it leaves even less margin for leeway....and I've already cut and welded the rad to accomodate the AN threaded fitting

sorry if this is confusing

Not at all.

As long as you don't mind pretty engine bays, you will be fine.

Lorne

Edited by gomog on Monday 30th March 02:32

[2winscrew]

thanks Lorne

I can't use the steel one though....to run a proper -AN line I need to weld an aluminum fitting on to the t-stat housing and you can't weld aluminum to steel

pretty sure we're stuck with having to do some creative cutting and welding with the stat-housing I have on the car

I have a new canted one (one the right of the picture already fitted with the welded fitting) and we did a straight cut at the end and welded the fitting on...but I'm thinking we may have to make an angled cut

won't know until we've got the car in pieces

[2winscrew]

alright...an update

I've order the steel one from RPI....and I've lined up a guy through my Mustang connections here locally to replicate the steel one in aluminum on his CNC machine

this is going to be one expensive rad hose set up

[gomog]

2winscrew said:

thanks Lorne
I can't use the steel one though....to run a proper -AN line I need to weld an aluminum fitting on to the t-stat housing and you can't weld aluminum to steel

Yes, I am aware of that. It is unwise to match steel onto an aluminum, especially a thermostat. Electrolytic reaction would be hastened.

The chrome thermostat I posted above is not chromed steel. It is chromed cast aluminum as far as I can see. Just like all the thermostats I have seen for variations of this block, except one.

2winscrew said:

alright...an update
I've order the steel one from RPI....and I've lined up a guy through my Mustang connections here locally to replicate the steel one in aluminum on his CNC machine
this is going to be one expensive rad hose set up

You move very quickly. (smile) I think you should double check what you are getting from Rpi. Speak to Holly rather than one of the ladies. It may be that you ordered a carb housing made out of cast iron. Do you have an image of what you purchased? Here is what one looks like.



It is not fun trying to welding cast iron. I wouldn't advise it..but

A very elegant idea would be to browse Jegs or Summit Racing for a multi-purpose thermostat housing that would fit. They come in all sizes and shapes and metals. Polished, chromed or anodized any colour you can imagine. Many have swivel necks that can turn in any direction and are made with AN fittings. Here is an example and a plain colour and finish.



Lorne

[2winscrew]

gomog said:

You move very quickly. (smile) I think you should double check what you are getting from Rpi. Speak to Holly rather than one of the ladies. It may be that you ordered a carb housing made out of cast iron. Do you have an image of what you purchased? Here is what one looks like.

A very elegant idea would be to browse Jegs or Summit Racing for a multi-purpose thermostat housing that would fit. They come in all sizes and shapes and metals. Polished, chromed or anodized any colour you can imagine. Many have swivel necks that can turn in any direction and are made with AN fittings. Here is an example and a plain colour and finish.

Lorne

been dealing with Chris Crane....and I emailed him the picture you posted above (the mine/yours pic)...saying I need the one on the left....he said he's sending me a non-powder-coated version....if it's aluminum then I'm a happy camper with more money left in my pocket...but he said it was steel

I searched the Jegs route..Billet Specialties have some great swivel neck pieces...but my mechanice says no way a Chev/Ford/Mopar application will work with what we believe is a Buick design on the Rover lump...

I'll see what shows up...wasn't expensive at all...20 pounds

[2winscrew]

car gods might have just smiled on me here

RPI's response

"Hi Tim

We can supply a used thermostat housing of the style you need and yes we have one in alluminium. The chrome one one in the picture you have sent is steel so we will now sort out a used alloy one for you."

[gomog]

2winscrew said:

car gods might have just smiled on me here
RPI's response

"Hi Tim
We can supply a used thermostat housing of the style you need and yes we have one in aluminium. The chrome one one in the picture you have sent is steel so we will now sort out a used alloy one for you."

I guess Rpi changed and switched to steel thermostat housings. I am not sure why. Both of my chrome ones are NOT steel. They are aluminum and (as of a minute ago) a magnet will slide off them without effect. I bought both from Rpi a few years ago. I shall give them a new source tomorrow.

Many Chevy and Buick housings are interchangeable..including AN versions.

Good luck! I am sure it will work out for you.

Lorne