Oil thermostat - can I use the later 72 on type in my 2.0 swb engine?

[MTemp]

I have a 66 swb with a suspect oil thermostat (901.107.751.00) the lower one in the photo below. I have a good one from a 72 2.4E that fits (930.107.765.00), has ports that are larger but in the same places, only the grove for the 'O' ring is slightly higher. Any reason why I shouldn't use the later version?

Clearly I'd prefer to use the later version if I can.

Also does anyone know what the extra gubbins on the top of the earlier one does?? Is it a relief valve, or adjuster or something?

Mick

[edmayo]

They are interchangeable. The screw on top of the earlier version is for adjusting the opening temp. The later version has a snap ring retaining the the actual thermostatic unit so in the future you can replace just the thermostatic unit rather than the whole housing.

[MTemp]

Well for the benefit of those that find this in a later search, I was advised as follows of Pelican:


the newer one is about 3mm taller in the body, so it will bottom out in an early case and the upper flange will be 3mm away from the case. so no.
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And on measurement he is correct. The newer version will not seat all the way down in a swb block.

Mick

[edmayo]

You're right, I had forgotten that we had had the case machined while apart for a rebuild, that doesn't work for you. Is there enough meat on the bottom to allow for machining shorter? I don't have one in front of me, but I seem to think the insert was staked in on the early unit, while the later one is retained by a snap ring so the insert is changeable. I wonder if the earlier one could be also machined to take the snap ring???