No thermostat?

[fj45ww]

I have a 1967 Land Cruiser (pickup variant) that has a 2F engine in it and I was planning to do a radiator flush because I saw some rust sledge on the underside of the radiator cap. After I pulled the lower radiator hose to drain out the coolant. I decided that I probably should put a new thermostat as part of a most robust maintenance. I removed the thermostat housing thinking that I would find a thermostat that could be replaced and it turns out that there's no thermostat in there. I'm curious what the best approach might be in this scenario. I'm new to land cruisers so just trying to understand the best path forward. I could just replace the thermostat housing as it was and continue on with my radiator flush or should I install a thermostat housing that has a thermostat?

 

[brian]

Put a thermostat in it, and be prepared for the engine to run hot.

 

[Living in the Past]

Not necessarily. The a working thermostat helps speed up warming the engine which is good thing. It also regulates the flow. Faster flow does not automatically mean better cooling. You want it to take some time in the engine and radiator to give the coolant time to absorb and release heat. The right temperature high or low is important. There is a reason in real cold climates they block the radiator. Cooler is not necessarily better.

 

[pb4ugo]

Now's the time to flush the rad and flush the heater hoses/cores. Install the tstat and fill the system distilled water. Drive it for a bit and see if there's any issues. If everything seems ok, drain and fill with a 50/50 mix with AF and distilled water.

 

[pb4ugo]

Now's the time to fush the rad and flush the heater hoses/cores. Install the tstat and fill the system distilled water. Drive for it for a bit and see if there's any issues. If everything seems ok, drain and fill with a 50/50 mix with AF and distilled water.

I always wonder why did someone remove the tstat. There might be an underlying issue, that's why I use distilled water.

 

[fj45ww]

Thanks for all the responses. Yeah, I suspect that there may have been some sort of heating issue with the truck which is why there is no thermostat in it to begin with. In that case, I think I need a little guidance. As you can see in the photos, there is no thermostat. I bought a thermostat but I think its the wrong one. Any idea on what is the right one for this thermostat housing?

 

[fj45ww]

Thanks for all the responses. Yeah, I suspect that there may have been some sort of heating issue with the truck which is why there is no thermostat in it to begin with. In that case, I think I need a little guidance. As you can see in the photos, there is no thermostat. I bought a thermostat but I think its the wrong one. Any idea on what is the right one for this thermostat housing?

This is the upper thermostat housing that I have Upper Thermostat Housing/Water Outlet - Fits 1981-1987 2F Engine Applications (RAD61110) - https://cruiserteq.com/upper-thermostat-housing-water-outlet-fits-1981-1987-2f-engine-applications-rad61110/

 

[charliemeyer007]

Maybe the missing one was stuck closed and they removed it to get home and never bothered to replace it because it ran.

 

[fj45ww]

Alright. I think I figured out what I need to buy in order to redo the thermostat.
- Upper Thermostat Housing/Water Outlet - Fits 1981-1987 2F Engine Applications (RAD61110) - https://cruiserteq.com/upper-thermostat-housing-water-outlet-fits-1981-1987-2f-engine-applications-rad61110/
- FJ60 2F Thermostat, Gaskets, and Hardware Kit • 1980 - 87 60-Series Toyota Land Cruiser RL1142 (CO1) - Red Line Land Cruisers - https://redlinelandcruisers.com/product/fj60-2f-thermostat-gauge-gaskets-and-hardware-kit-1980-87-60-series-toyota-land-cruiser-rl1142-co1/
- autozone.com/p/permatex-gasket-sealant-22071/516195?spps.s=5603&cmpid=LIA:US:EN:AD:ALO:GOO:TRS:SHO:OTE:GEN:NA:ALA:NA:NA:NA:NA:NA:NA:NA&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22356757832&gbraid=0AAAAADkcoVtX3XYpVxnlHdzIlOTJcVRsV&gclid=Cj0KCQjwyr3OBhD0ARIsALlo-OnIuRSyQWy3I9bYk6iqmGsHV93q0BgoW2KSgUh2Q6t1vE1opiNEJiMaAlwBEALw_wcB

 

[rlong]

I concur with Charlie, many times people pull them trying to solve another issue, doesn’t solve it (unless stuck/failed) they move on to b, c, x fix, maybe solve but never go back and replace thermostat. Pretty common and depending on your climate and use may not notice.