[oldblu65]

Originally Posted by moliva1568

I've got a 1974 pontiac 455 and I'm trying to change the thermostat. I forgot to take note of which way the old one was facing. The old one has "to radiator" and the new one doesn't. So I'm not sure how to put it in and based on the direction of the housing, I don't know which way to face it. Picture 1 and 2 are of the new thermostat and which way it would go. Picture 3 is the old thermostat which says to radiator but I still don't know which way it should go. Picture 4 is the way the thermostat housing sits. At first glance I would think it went the same way (pic 1). But based on the old thermostat and the "to radiator", it looks like it should go the way of pics 2. Once you clear that up for me, how do I know which side of the new thermostat should be the "to radiator" side and if it goes like pic 1, it doesn't actually face the radiator? Please advise.

Thanks

The side with the exposed spring goes toward the engine block ( as pictured ) and the side with the " tower " goes toward the upper radiator hose .