Ferret thermostats adjustable?

[Robin Craig]

I am not as far by a long way on my Ferret.

You are doing everything that I think I would do to overcome the problem. Sorting it out will pay you back big time as you say.

Please let the rest of us know what you find out.

The thermostats are available NOS as far as I recall, but respect it is a oney and time issue

Robin

[Lynn Eades]

Just be aware that to much heat could result in damage. The path you are heading down is probably the way it was set up in the first place,(rather than being adjustable in service.
I am sceptical about why it has changed.
The bellows contains alcohol ? and I suspect the engine has been overheated (maybe no water around bellows) and each element has stretched beyond it's elastic limit??) to the point where it has stretched without failing (from leaking) If a bellows type thermostat fails, it fails in the closed position (bad) whereas a wax filled thermostat usually fails in the open position (better)
It will be interesting to know how it performs in the future.

[LRDG]

Ive got the t/s opening at 155F based on a strip of 0.001" shim stock trapped under the valve coming free. The trouble is I had to screw the disk down about 1/8" which extends the bellows 1/8". This means there is now only 1/4" of free movement before the top of the bellows hits the brass housing, down from an original 3/8" so the maximum flow area is reduced by about 1/3rd. I am going to run this in the short term but a new t/s is in her future.

Malcolm

[Lynn Eades]

Malcolm, have you the space underneath to undo the screws on the side and slot the bellows frame down further. this would in theory at least give you a new start point.
I do think a new one is the answer though.

[LRDG]

That's a good idea, Lynn. I'll try that.

[Robin Craig]

Great information and suggestions all with great reasoning.

Thanks

R

[LRDG]

I unscrewed the 4 screws securing the bellows to the t/s body and elongated the screw holes. (They were already slotted so are part of the original setup by the OEM, I guess.) That got me a bit more flow area.

I did a calc of the final fully-open curtain flow area at the valve opening and it is now equivalent to the flow area of the port under the valve, so my anal engineering mind is now satisfied. Of course, the real test will be what temp she runs at.

[Lynn Eades]

Well done for having a go!.
The carriers have a radiator pressure cap that is adjusted then soldered, as is the oil cooler bypass valve.