Thermostat check ball

[90350]

Sorry for the long post, I'm trying to be specific.

I need to replace my thermostat, no engine heat. After reading many threads here, I know there is a necessary check ball somewhere.

I picked up my new thermostat and gasket from the Ford dealer today expecting to see a check ball on the thermostat. Not there. The gasket has two passageways in it. A round one for the thermostat, and a smaller unique shaped one next to it.

One post said that the check ball is in the thermostat housing.

Will it be obvious if it is present or missing?
If it's missing, can I get a replacement from Ford?

Thanks again, everyone!

[Bill1013]

Shake the the neck, if it rattles your good to go. If not it might be stuck or missing.

Bill

[Snotzalot]

The check ball is in the outlet. It should be visible and rattle. No heat sounds like another problem than the thermostat.

BTW, the dash gauges for engine heat tend to read low.

[90350]

Originally Posted by Snotzalot

No heat sounds like another problem than the thermostat.

What else should I be checking?

[jjqinc]

while the radiator is empty, check the brass fitting on the bottom pass side of the radiator. It's a return hose. If someone used Barr's to plug a hole somewhere, that one will clog. It looks like a 3\4 fitting, but the inside is drilled out to only 3\32 or 1\8. Mine was clogged solid, and after I cleaned it out, I had better heat.

[90350]

Originally Posted by jjqinc

while the radiator is empty, check the brass fitting on the bottom pass side of the radiator.

I'll check that also.

Thanks.

[90350]

Nicer weather finally arrived.

I found the check ball right where it should be. My truck didn't have the wrong thermostat, it had NO thermostat and a very large radiator. Now the engine warms up, and the cabin has some heat (and defrosters).

Now that the cooling system can develop heat and pressure, I'll work on those huge billows of smoke.

Thanks again to all.