Thermostat assembly question

sheboyganjohn

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 2, 2005
Messages
753
I have a 1960 Johnson 40hp that I have finished a rebuild of the lower unit and decided while I was at it I would change out the thermostat and found out that all the guts are missing for the thermostat. I have found a place on line that I can order parts, but they only to back to 1968. From what I remember, the big twins were about the same from 1960 to 1972, so will those parts work in my motor?
 

fishermanms

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 8, 2007
Messages
100
Re: Thermostat assembly question

For what its worth...see if you can get up with a member here by the name FishMagnet. He ordered a thermostat for the same motor. This particular thermostat sat on top of a cork that is seated on top of a spring that allowed the thermostat to be pushed down just enough to allow more water thru when the engine reached higher temperature.... Fishermanms
 

F_R

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jul 7, 2006
Messages
28,226
Re: Thermostat assembly question

1970 was the last year that the 40hp had a thermostat....until it was redesigned later on. But yes, the thermostat and guts were the same from 1959-1970. In addition to the 'stat, it takes a black plastic housing, a white plastic relief valve button, and a special relief valve spring. The relief valve controls water recirculation back to the water pump depending on whether or not the 'stat is open.
 

fishermanms

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 8, 2007
Messages
100
Re: Thermostat assembly question

Pay attention to Commander Imported FR..... Hes a little grumpy sometimes but he knows his stuff...:D
 

sheboyganjohn

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 2, 2005
Messages
753
Re: Thermostat assembly question

Thank-you very much for the help. I was planning on taking the kids fishing this week with the boat (maiden voyage) I know is should have the thermostat, but would it still be o.k. to run it for the 5 or 10 minutes each way to the fishing spot? I would think it would not hurt it since it appears that it has been run with-out a thermostat for a while.
 
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