Replaced Thermostat.

[David Young]

Yesterday i replaced the thermostat and gasket on my 1977 Evinrude 70 HP motor. The kit came with a round cork gasket. I couldn't find anything about where this cork gasket goes. I put it in the hole where the thermostat goes and placed the thermostat on top of the cork gasket. I then put the cover on with the two springs and tightened the cover. Did i do this right? I looked in my Factory Repair Manual and it did say anything about a cork gasket.

I also took the old thermostat and placed it in almost boiling water and it didn't do anything. It didn't 'pop' open or anything.

In a couple hours i'm going to fill my barrel up with water and let my motor idle to see if it over heats. I was just wondering about the cork gasket.

Thank you all

 

[racerone]

It did not do anything ?-----Did you take a good look at it ?------Are you sure nothing moved internally?

 

[racerone]

Did the spring compress ?

 

[David Young]

I looked at the thermostat before i put it in the hot water and watched it in bright lights for over 10 minutes. It didn't do anything, nothing at all. I was expecting it to 'pop' open or slide open slowly, but nothing moved.

 

[racerone]

Did the spring compress ?

 

[David Young]

Did the spring compress ?

No. After i removed it from the hot water, i ran cold water over it and nothing happened. Guess it was bad and happy i replaced it. I think it is the original one from 1977.

 

[racerone]

Did you install the poppit valves ?------New grommets on the poppit valves ?

 

[David Young]

Did you install the poppit valves ?------New grommets on the poppit valves ?

No. They looked pretty good. I would have ordered new ones if i knew about them. I bought a 'complete thermostat kit' from this Forum and it only had the thermostat, gasket and a cork gasket which could be called a spacer. Thanks for your help because i'm new to this, on boats anyway.

 

[David Young]

I think i will order new poppit valves and grommets. Do you know about the cork part? Did i install it right? I didn't find anything made of cork when i took the thermostat apart.

 

[racerone]

The thermostat I tested this morning had the cork on it.----Spring compressed when put in hot water.-----Nothing appeared to move on it but when looking from the bottom it was opened up.

 

[David Young]

My old thermostat didn't do anything. I'll test the old one again. I looked on the parts list for the cork gasket and according to the list you put the cork gasket in the hole then the thermostat. I installed mine the right way . I ordered the poppit valve and grommets and will replace them when they come in a few days. The bottom grommet was worn out more than the top one. Better safe than sorry. Thanks again.

 

[David Young]

My old thermostat did move down some and the old cork gasket is on it, just compressed to only around 1mm thick. Now waiting for my parts and i'll post back in a few days and tell how it runs in the barrel i got. Thanks

 

[racerone]

It just magic I guess.

 

[David Young]

What threw me off was, after i removed all the housing bolts i used a screwdriver to un stick the gasket from the motor. I found out the hard way about the two springs when everything shot about 10 feet . I know now to be careful the next time.

 

[David Young]

My new poppit valves and new grommets came today and i installed them. The top valve and grommet was in good shape but i changed them too. The bottom one was messed up and i had to pull and wiggle the poppit valve to remove it from the old grommet. They were needing changed.

I searched the internet for, "what is the function of a poppit valve on a boat motor". I never could find a good answer to my question. I know it is kind of a pressure relief valve.

I'll ask you all my question........On my 1977 70 horsepower evinrude, what does the poppit valve do, is to relieve water or exhaust pressure or what?

Thank you all, I'm trying to learn all i can about my old boat motor