Well I did it again. I took the thermostat out without looking good enough at the way I took it out. I did the same thing years ago on my 1st stat install and swore I would never do it again. So here I am 15 years later and know how a thermostat goes in as far as the spring in the engine ect. but now they had to go and put a little chute or slide on the bottom of it. I am pretty sure this goes in the front so when the stat opens the water has a easy place to go but not 100% sure. Also the only stat I could get was a stant brand and I am in a hurry to get it fixed. Would you use it or should I just wait and get a oem orderd? Thanks for your help. Also I am working on a 1998 honda passport (rodeo) 6cyl 3.2. The stat is under the intake and is a son of a gon to get to so I do not want to do this twice. I am also replacing the intake gasket. Thanks for your help. Here is a pic of the stat the slide I am talking about is on the lower right hand side.

Sorry the pic did not work. I will try again. Maybe the link will work .Thermostat

Doesn't matter. The bleeder hole (or jiggle valve if your's has one) goes up. This lets the system bleed air better.

Michael

Ok! So I can put it towards or away from the water flow? Mine has a hole in the top but there is no jiggle valve in it. just out of curiosity, why is that slide or ramp on there? Also would you reccomend/use a stant theromstat? Thanks.

No. The spring and ramp-thingie goes toward the engine. There should be "To Rad", with an arrow, on the side of the little bridge piece.

Stant is fine.

Good Luck,
Michael

I'd recommend a factory thermostat. That way you know you're getting the right thing. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> I know that on my Toyota's, the aftermarket thermostats have this cheap lightweight spring on them but the factory thermostats have this heavy duty spring on them.

On that thermostat, it'll probably only go on one way. Typically, the spring will be on the backside where the other side is the outlet (flow wise).

Richard

Another thing to note:
Many of the after-market thermostats do not have the same size
opening that the factory ones do and they do not flow as much coolant.