First off, my 360 almost always shows nice water temps...always at least a bit below straight up (210). Say range of 170-195. But, this winter has been cold and lately after driving 15 or so miles, indicated water temp is only about 150 (just over 140 low peg). If I stop and idle, it will start going up and approach 210. So, is this normal? If not, is the thermostat sticking open? Is the gauge acting up? Water temp sending unit? Do these things have normal thermostats or some electronic gizmo? Any insight appreciated.
Here: http://awautoparts.us/product.asp?pid=561 Or http://m.ebay.com/itm/400808719852?_mwBanner=1 Or http://www.fmscarparts.com/product_info.php?products_id=183758
Wow. That's barely a $10 part on older US cars. Total robbery. I guess the folks that responded believe your thermostat is stuck open.
I wasn't suggesting a part swap (although it could be checked out). I was expressing my shock at the price markup on these Italian parts. That is a wax operated thermostat that's been in production for at least 70 years. A machine belts them out faster than you can count. Its a disgrace to charge that much - really a disgrace. I don't have a solution to this madness. As an example, there's a short rubber radiator hose on my F12 that sells for about $10 on a US car. On Ricambi its $700!!!!!
Looks like it is stamped made in Germany so guess which cars it is common with? I will take Germany over Chinese parts any day of the week. Seriously what German car uses this same one? Someone must know.
We have been trying to look for an alternative thermostat for the 308/328, 348, 355 for a long time. Now, let's add the 360 to that. There have been no definite after market replacement. The one found by Ernie (yes, that cheap Arse Ernie) for his 348 was a bit too small and did not work. In the end, there are several suppliers that do sell a thermostat for a decent price and that seems to have lessened the desire to go find a $10 part.
BEHR 2.082.79 NUMBER. (means opens at 82c and closes it at 79c) Lots of interchange cross parts from other brands and based on the weather conditions you live you can replace it by other temperature variance models in between (no more than 5-6 celcius) 2.082.79,BEHR THERMOT-TRONIK 2.082.79; Coolant Thermostat Engine Coolant Thermostat Behr Thermot Tronik Fits 63 66 Mercedes 230SL 2 3L L6 | eBay
I would shop on line for x-ref part numbers and then see if its available at the local parts places. Then take the old part with me and compare sizes/shapes to make sure it will fit. Saves ordering the wrong part and sending it back and paying for shipping, etc. Also, just because it is stamped that its made in any particular place, China makes 99.9% of all the individual components to make up the final piece. There are Chinese factories that sell the thermostat wax pellets (what turns thermal energy to mechanical energy) by the ton to manufacturers around the world. Just do a Google search. The point is that a thermostat is a thermostat and it shouldn't cost much more than $10 or the seller is ripping you off. Anyone can change a thermostat. It will also give you an excuse to flush the radiator fluid as well. Good luck.
Substituting thermostats can be a mixed bag of tricks. The 360 and the 550 happen to share the same 'stat, Ferrari P/N 183758, so I'd like to share some of the research I did to find a suitable alternative. When substituting, there's a number of things to watch for besides the same temp rating and the same fit with the overall diameter of the body. There's the diameter of the disc that closes the bypass port. If this isn't right, or the disc is too small, you won't get a good tight shutoff of the bypass port, and some hot coolant leaving the engine will always be mixing with the cool coolant coming into the engine from the radiator. There's the length of the stroke of the 'stat as it closes off the bypass port. If the stroke isn't long enough, you'll have the same issues with the bypass not closing fully. There's the overall response curve of the 'stat. The temperature rating of the 'stat is given based on when it begins to open. There's no temperature rating for when it's fully open, so that could be 10 degrees, 20 degrees, etc. I went through all the technical specifications and drawings for Stant's thermostats, and came up with 4-5 that I thought might be acceptable, then I bought them, measured everything to confirm, discarded several that didn't meet the spec, then I tested the acceptable ones in a hot oil bath and picked out the most favorable candidate. Here are the results I came up with: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/143311632-post138.html I'm not saying that Stants are the best alternative, in fact their QA/QC isn't near what it used to be, but they're the only ones who publish detailed dimensional specs on their 'stats, and you can buy them everywhere, so it made my testing job easier.
If there is an O-ring or gasket make sure you replace it as well. Sometimes they come with the thermostat. If not, they can be matched up as well. The gasket can also be cut from a single sheet. When replacing gaskets, I recommend a gasket sealant which keeps the gasket from sticking to the aluminum. That way you don't have to scrape the old one off again as these types of thermostats don't usually last more than a handful of years. Good luck.
The gasket is an O ring, square if you cross cut it, and has a split where the thermostat fits in. Cannot be made, you have to buy it.
Bummer. That's why I always bring the old parts with me to compare at the parts shop. If there's a rare piece like a square O-ring with a special relief groove then I'd get a couple spares just in case.
