Gabriel Posted Monday at 09:33 PM Report Share Posted Monday at 09:33 PM Hi guys. The thermostat housing in my 521 is leaking and I would like to replace it. Would this cheap part be good enough? https://www.autozone.com/cooling-heating-and-climate-control/water-outlet/p/duralast-engine-coolant-thermostat-housing-assembly-4844kt/504544_0_0?spps.s=5222&cmpid=LIA%3AUS%3AEN%3AAD%3ANL%3A1000000%3AIEN%3A19489353526&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA74G9BhAEEiwA8kNfpSeL7T-WnRzM70gX-3V4j-wXbPcefleV_BoXhK-2cUJ57mE7kp4ysRoCeKkQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&new_store_set=true Or should I get the expensive one: https://www.ebay.com/itm/144286775037?chn=ps&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&amdata=enc%3A1KckFf1GBSD-t9VGUhlxaKw46&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=144286775037&targetid=2321310837104&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9031089&poi=&campaignid=21214302385&mkgroupid=161029887581&rlsatarget=pla-2321310837104&abcId=9407524&merchantid=550394773&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA74G9BhAEEiwA8kNfpcV78TlUPVTaL2YWcv-y-lhLpECymidPsp_3hTF_M7rDXJrTc3rozRoCOIIQAvD_BwE Here are some pics of mine. Thank you all for all your help! Quote Link to comment
banzai510(hainz) Posted Monday at 09:50 PM Report Share Posted Monday at 09:50 PM (edited) https://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/1971/nissan/521_pickup/cooling_system/thermostat_housing_cover.html become one with this site https://zcardepot.com/collections/510/products/thermostat-housing-coolant-neck-oem-240z-260z-280z# this is a better one. Nissan might even be cheaper if somebody has a part number how you now its bad? maybe gasket? usually the lower s crack cause people change the temp sender and the hex nut is stuck in there. I cant open those photos. You need to stop shopping at Vatozone as your first go to spot. Edited Monday at 09:58 PM by banzai510(hainz) Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted Monday at 11:28 PM Report Share Posted Monday at 11:28 PM Clean the cover neck of corrosion and replace that top radiator hose if it's gone soft. Remove both parts. Get a sheet of 180/220 grit emery cloth and tape to a glass surface. Work all surfaces back and forth till they look like above. (the 3 hole are for '79 and '80 L series engines) Go to NAPA for gaskets or even better don't pay a cent for gaskets, it's easier to go to dollar store for a hole punch, trace outline on cereal box. Use punch to nibble bolt holes and make hole big enough to get scissors in to finish large holes. Don't use RTV or sealer it's unprofessional and messy looking, excess will squeeze into the cooling system and plug radiator and heater cores and you'll never get parts apart next time. I have home made gaskets for oil and water pump and the two for the thermostat. You can make them both faster than driving into town. Been on there 8-10 years. Quote Link to comment
Rotarded Posted Monday at 11:30 PM Report Share Posted Monday at 11:30 PM Bought one for mine. Works perfect... https://www.ebay.com/itm/176158126782 1 Quote Link to comment
Gabriel Posted Tuesday at 12:58 AM Author Report Share Posted Tuesday at 12:58 AM Thank you guys. I found the original part at https://autopartsobsolete.com/1968-1974-datsun-nissan-240z-260z-510-521-610-620-710-engine-thermostat-housing-new-nos-nissan-11060-U2001.html for $20! I'll report if it doesn't work. I would love to be able to do what you suggest Mike, but I think I haven't told you guys that I have two left hands, so a lot of manual stuff ain't my forte. But if the replacement doesn't work, I'm freaking tryin'. BTW, Rotarded wins the best name competition! Hahaha Quote Link to comment
banzai510(hainz) Posted Tuesday at 02:30 PM Report Share Posted Tuesday at 02:30 PM (edited) 21 hours ago, Rotarded said: https://www.ebay.com/itm/176158126782 Love this post with the ebay complete kit. this is the best and best way to do it if its exactly the same set up but there was 2 kinds of lower housing one with the bypass hole for the water line to carb. Uses a U shape hose. the other is as in ebay photo. the water line doesnt have the bypass. so more is less 2 types of metal water line to the intake manifold was made Yes ytour correct on the 2 left hands. Thats why you should sell to me for 1000$. So I can keep this truck going to me the upper part never goes bad unless totall corroreded. This happens when people dont change out the antifreeze and use tap water. buy the 50/50 premix at Walmart and run that and replace every 3/4years when you changed the water pump you can see the front cover inside and if lots of pitting that means that lack of changes(looked like termites when threw it). front cover will go bad over time and water into the oil pan use antiseize on the bolts. dont be cheap Edited Tuesday at 09:09 PM by banzai510(hainz) Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted Tuesday at 03:29 PM Report Share Posted Tuesday at 03:29 PM It may be an L20B but the thermostat housing is from earlier L16 maybe the 521 engine? Which is fine, it'll work, but L20B use a bypass to force circulation of the trapped stagnant water around the thermostat. Occam's Razor: The simplest answer is usually the correct one. 1/ Can only leak where parts are bolted together and that's the gasket. Might even be seeping from the radiator hose. Most likely. next 2/ Corrosion of mating parts surfaces. Sand them down as I showed and new gaskets. next 3/ Crack. They don't crack by themselves only by owner or previous owner. Least likely Quote Link to comment
MikeRL411 Posted Tuesday at 07:33 PM Report Share Posted Tuesday at 07:33 PM 21 hours ago, Gabriel said: Hi guys. The thermostat housing in my 521 is leaking and I would like to replace it. Would this cheap part be good enough? https://www.autozone.com/cooling-heating-and-climate-control/water-outlet/p/duralast-engine-coolant-thermostat-housing-assembly-4844kt/504544_0_0?spps.s=5222&cmpid=LIA%3AUS%3AEN%3AAD%3ANL%3A1000000%3AIEN%3A19489353526&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA74G9BhAEEiwA8kNfpSeL7T-WnRzM70gX-3V4j-wXbPcefleV_BoXhK-2cUJ57mE7kp4ysRoCeKkQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&new_store_set=true Or should I get the expensive one: https://www.ebay.com/itm/144286775037?chn=ps&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&amdata=enc%3A1KckFf1GBSD-t9VGUhlxaKw46&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=144286775037&targetid=2321310837104&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9031089&poi=&campaignid=21214302385&mkgroupid=161029887581&rlsatarget=pla-2321310837104&abcId=9407524&merchantid=550394773&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA74G9BhAEEiwA8kNfpcV78TlUPVTaL2YWcv-y-lhLpECymidPsp_3hTF_M7rDXJrTc3rozRoCOIIQAvD_BwE Here are some pics of mine. Thank you all for all your help! Maybe investigate Kia Sephia thermostat housings? They are metric so filing may be needed. Also use Chrystler gaskets, they are wider at sealing surfaces. Quote Link to comment
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