I'm just wondering if the 89-91 thermostat housings can be interchanged with an '88 Turbo/AT type. The housing-to-flange looks the same. Is there any reason I could not do this? Main reason I ask, is because my thermostat housing is completely fucked (don't ask, just trust me here), and I don't to buy all the extra parts if I can just use an 89-91. I'd have to get the housing, the cap assembly, the gasket, the cap assembly o-ring, and a set of used bolts... All totaling to around 60-70 bucks.

If you answer this question please tell me WHY it would not work. Thanks a million

-Brian

 

No. You would have to use an 89 front cover. *big* job, not worth it.

 

For the love of God! I guess it's time to break out the JB Weld.

Thanks for the reply

 

did yours crack along the seem, mine did, a new one from mazda is 60 bucks

 

If by thermostat housing you mean the thing that covers the thermostat and had a pipe on it that goes to the radiator upper hose, then the answer is maybe. I have a 1990 T2, and on mine, the wrong part is installed, my engine has 3 bolt holes, and the housing has 2, or maybe the other way around, I forget. But the fluid holes line up and some gasket sealer is on there, and it hasn't leaked.

 

Thank GOD we do not use thermostats here... That is the first thing we eliminate.

 

I used some high strength epoxy. I really hope it seals okay, because the stuff hardens like a brick, and there's no way I'll get it back off if I tried

 

Hehehe, over here we are always in a hurry (for no reason, really), and can't wait forrrrrrrrrevvvvvvver for the engine to get up to operating temperature. An American would crack the block within a week if he ran his street RX-7 with no thermostat. I suppose you guys don't waste your money on turbo timers and block heaters, either.