defecater
Full Access Member
Previous owner told me that the truck never put out much heat in the winter, so i decided to change out the thermostat. After I pulled it apart, the first thing I noticed was a piece of some kind of copper/brass ring sitting in the cavity just below where the thermostat seats- the rest of the ring was wedged in the thermostat. Ring is slightly larger than the main body of the thermostat- where did it come from??
Also, the thermostat I got from the parts store (oReilleys) did not come with a gasket like was already on the engine, but instead has some kind of flimsy rubber ring surrounding the outer diameter. I stopped back at the store to inquire about a normal gasket, and they came up with a piece of gasket material that I am supposed to cut to shape myself, but the counter guy said that the thermostat with the sealing ring around it was all he has ever sold. I have no problem cutting my own gasket, as I normally cut most of my own anyway, but I am left a bit confused about this sealing ring- If there was at least some kind of a slight recess in the block or water neck housing, I would feel OK with using it, but I just cant see this thing compressing evenly or even holding itself centered where it is supposed to seat without a recess Should I try to use it, or just pitch it and cut my own gasket like I am thinking I should?? And then there is what appears to be some kind of small check ball in the water neck housing that comes out after I scraped off all of the old gasket. What is the significance of this check ball???
One last question- While all of this stuff is out of the way, would it be a good idea to change out the lift pump while it is easy to get to, or are they pretty much not an issue as far as longevity goes. Looks like a SBF fuel pump to me, although I bet it really isnt. Guess I should have asked while I was at the parts store earlier, but what does one typically cost??
Also, the thermostat I got from the parts store (oReilleys) did not come with a gasket like was already on the engine, but instead has some kind of flimsy rubber ring surrounding the outer diameter. I stopped back at the store to inquire about a normal gasket, and they came up with a piece of gasket material that I am supposed to cut to shape myself, but the counter guy said that the thermostat with the sealing ring around it was all he has ever sold. I have no problem cutting my own gasket, as I normally cut most of my own anyway, but I am left a bit confused about this sealing ring- If there was at least some kind of a slight recess in the block or water neck housing, I would feel OK with using it, but I just cant see this thing compressing evenly or even holding itself centered where it is supposed to seat without a recess Should I try to use it, or just pitch it and cut my own gasket like I am thinking I should?? And then there is what appears to be some kind of small check ball in the water neck housing that comes out after I scraped off all of the old gasket. What is the significance of this check ball???
One last question- While all of this stuff is out of the way, would it be a good idea to change out the lift pump while it is easy to get to, or are they pretty much not an issue as far as longevity goes. Looks like a SBF fuel pump to me, although I bet it really isnt. Guess I should have asked while I was at the parts store earlier, but what does one typically cost??