Thermostat housing questions

[Mustang5L5]

So I’m in the middle of swapping my Dorman intake out for a Ford PI intake. Questions regarding the T-stat housing

My car is a 2000

Left housing is the 96-00 version with the small bolt spacers that help prevent overtightening. Right one is the 01-04 version.


My question is regarding the larger thermostat size spacer above both of them. It was installed under my stock ‘00 housing. Is this a Ford specific part? Or is this something for the Dorman intake? Or could this be a part specific to the old 99-00 plastic intake?

I am replacing the radiator hose due to age, and you can only get a Motorcraft 01-04 hose these days so I’m going to run the newer housing. Do I use that spacer??

 

[lwarrior1016]

I don’t know how to answer your question correctly, but I have never used that spacer. I think I’ve only ever used the 01-04 style.

I honestly didn’t even know there were different housings.

 

[Mustang5L5]

I honestly didn’t even know there were different housings.

Neither did I. I bought a used PI intake for $50 for the crossover and hardware (was cheaper than getting the hardware separate) and noticed it and that's what led me down the rabbithole


Apparently the angle the hose comes off differs. Since i have both, i got myself a motorcraft hose for the 01-04 so that's what I'm using. Just not sure about that spacer thing. Guess i;m gonna hit up google and youtube to see if i can spot it


96-00



01-04

 

[lwarrior1016]

None of the 96-99 cars I’ve worked on have had that spacer.

Makes me wonder though, is the bottom of that thermostat housing different heights?

 

[Mustang5L5]

Makes me wonder though, is the bottom of that thermostat housing different heights?

Nope. Same height. I checked.

Watched a bunch of thermostat installs on YouTube and didn’t see the spacer used at all. Im going to try it without

 

[RAU03MACH]

mine was like the one with larger bolt holes
no spacer

 

[96blak54]

No spacer here! Never any problems either