External thermostat to "in head" version

[MIGHTY 8]

Hello,

I've noticed some owners have swapped their later cars external thermostat over to the earlier thermostat which is located on top of the motor housing.

I like the cleaner "look" to it, but wondering if it's easy and worth the trouble.

Thank you,

[ClarkTheShark]

External T-stats used to be expensive. Now that they are ~$25, might as well keep it OEM.

Also, the internal T-Stat setup doesn't really improve cooling. keep it stock IMO.

The conversion is simple, but not worth it because there are no gains other than getting rid of some tubes.

[vandor]

When converting a 2000 to the in-head t-stat some people (including me) experienced unexplained overheating at steady revs (ie. highway driving). The solution was to fit a GMB water pump that has a different impeller design from the OEM pump and the Italian aftermarket ones.

[carl]

I convert all my 124s to internal thermostats, mostly just because it really cleans up the engine bay. Never had any problems and in fact this set up seems less prone to air pockets. Bottom line, it's for looks, no real performance gain.

[So Cal Mark]

Fiat switched to the external stats because they flow more. You'll find those 6mm bolts holding the water outlet to the head aren't meant to be removed/installed very often

[MIGHTY 8]

Thank you everyone! It's not my top priority right now, but for appearance I may go ahead and do it.

[chrisfiat]

i did it to remove the mess of hoses and clamps in the external design, so far it has worked great, ( one summer, and in some very hot temps and traffic as well) my biggest issue was finding a "proper" lower hose, none of the kits from the usual supplier's out there fit i ended up getting a gates hose and trimming a little off of both ends and it fits great. Unfortunately i don't have the number at the moment, but if you search under my user name you will find the post to me that one of the board members sent with the number in it. as to the bolts holding the housing on, clean the threads in the head and torque evenly with a little light greese on them and you should have no issue. if worst comes to worst, a helicoil is your friend