WD45 Thermostat
Printed From: Unofficial Allis
Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Farm Equipment
Forum Description: everything about Allis-Chalmers farm equipment
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=159472
Printed Date: 19 Aug 2025 at 11:36pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: WD45 Thermostat
Posted By: Dave (NE)
Subject: WD45 Thermostat
Date Posted: 30 Mar 2019 at 10:25am
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My WD45 hasn't been running hot enough to get into the normal level on the gauge lately. I suspect I may need a new thermostat. Where is the best place to get one and how difficult is it to replace? Any tricks I need to know about? Thanks, Dave ------------- Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience. Mark Twain. |
Replies:
Posted By: Alberta Phil
Date Posted: 30 Mar 2019 at 10:50am
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Easy enough to replace once you get the hood off. Three bolts holding the thermostat housing to the water manifold on the block at the bottom of the top hose. Should be able to get a replacement at Napa. Probably none in there right now as most seem to be missing on any I've dealt with. |
Posted By: Dave (NE)
Date Posted: 30 Mar 2019 at 1:42pm
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got the hood off. haven't removed the bolts on the housing. Does the thermostat just sit in the housing, or does it get bolted in or something? ------------- Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience. Mark Twain. |
Posted By: Dave(inMA)
Date Posted: 30 Mar 2019 at 7:08pm
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Drained some coolant to get the level down to the block? (Hint - don't ask me why I ask such a question!) Most thermostats I've seen just sit in the housing but my experience is limited. ------------- WC, CA, D14, WD45 |
Posted By: DrAllis
Date Posted: 30 Mar 2019 at 7:42pm
| You'll need a torch to warm up the casting where those three 1/4" bolts thread into or you WILL twist them off. |
Posted By: Dave (NE)
Date Posted: 30 Mar 2019 at 9:56pm
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I was wondering whether those bolts would come out or twist off. ------------- Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience. Mark Twain. |
Posted By: Ted J
Date Posted: 30 Mar 2019 at 10:39pm
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As DrAllis says,,,,,,,,,,,,FIRST!!!! They snap off SOOOooooo easy. Don't ask... They just sit in there and then the gasket and then the top of the housing. MAKE SURE you put in in the correct direction. Ask em where you buy it, or post a pic and we'll tell you which way it goes. If it goes in wrong, it'll over heat. ------------- "Allis-Express" 19?? WC / 1941 C / 1952 CA / 1956 WD45 / 1957 WD45 / 1958 D-17 |
Posted By: Bill_MN
Date Posted: 31 Mar 2019 at 11:35am
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When I last replaced my thermostat, I got it from NAPA. They have a cheaper and a more expensive one, but the pricier one is only about $10 more and much better built. It came with a gasket that had a peel and stick adhesive on one side that you set the thermostat in the housing then stick the gasket on and it kind of holds the thermostat in the housing while you bolt it on. ------------- 1951 WD #78283, 1918 Case 28x50 Thresher #76738, Case Centennial B 2x16 Plow |
Posted By: Dave (NE)
Date Posted: 31 Mar 2019 at 12:01pm
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Bill, when you got your thermostat from NAPA, did you simply have to tell them you want one for an Allis WD45, or is some additional information necessary to get the correct one? ------------- Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience. Mark Twain. |
Posted By: Dave (NE)
Date Posted: 31 Mar 2019 at 2:32pm
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Do I need to take the thermostat housing off or can I heat it up right on the top of the engine? Do I need to get it red hot or just try turning the bolt as it is being heated up? ------------- Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience. Mark Twain. |
Posted By: Sugarmaker
Date Posted: 31 Mar 2019 at 3:17pm
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I have only done three or 4 of these and have never had to heat one yet. But I think I did have a broken bolt in one. My guess is that a propane torch would do the trick. They are only 1/4 inch cap screws. Regards, Chris ------------- D17 1958 (NFE), WD45 1954 (NFE), WD 1952 (NFE), WD 1950 (WFE), Allis F-40 forklift, Allis CA, Allis D14, Ford Jubilee, Many IH Cub Cadets, 32 Ford Dump, 65 Comet. |
Posted By: Dave(inMA)
Date Posted: 31 Mar 2019 at 4:58pm
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I'd heat the bolts one at a time with a propane torch as Sugarmaker suggested. Probably don't need it to get red hot - just hot. Then let it cool for a minute or two. This should break the rust bonds between the bolt and the threaded hole. Tap it lightly with a small hammer. Apply wrench gently. Good luck! ------------- WC, CA, D14, WD45 |
Posted By: FREEDGUY
Date Posted: 31 Mar 2019 at 5:08pm
| Can some one verify what gets the torch- Doc says the housing but Dave says the bolts? My luck I would damage everything up there with a torch LOL!! |
Posted By: Dave(inMA)
Date Posted: 31 Mar 2019 at 5:14pm
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A good question. Both! Likely a good idea to heat the area around the bolt (and thus the bolt itself). Only should take a few minutes of heat. ------------- WC, CA, D14, WD45 |
Posted By: Sugarmaker
Date Posted: 31 Mar 2019 at 5:27pm
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Basically you should be trying to heat or expand the area around the bolt threaded end. Heat the steel cast portion of the neck coming from the engine. As that area expands ever so slightly it should loosen its grip on the bolt. Wire brushing the thread side, and some of your favorite thread liquid loosen-er, after the heat will help. Use a hex head socket or open end wrench. Regards, Chris
------------- D17 1958 (NFE), WD45 1954 (NFE), WD 1952 (NFE), WD 1950 (WFE), Allis F-40 forklift, Allis CA, Allis D14, Ford Jubilee, Many IH Cub Cadets, 32 Ford Dump, 65 Comet. |
Posted By: chaskaduo
Date Posted: 31 Mar 2019 at 5:31pm
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Maybe a blast of Freeze Off on the bolt after heating like Dave & Chris said, it shocks the rust bond and shrinks the bolt a micro minute bit. Has helped me before with stubborn bolts.
------------- 1938 B, 79 Dynamark 11/36 6spd, 95 Weed-Eater 16hp, 2010 Bolens 14hp |
Posted By: Bill_MN
Date Posted: 31 Mar 2019 at 6:07pm
------------- 1951 WD #78283, 1918 Case 28x50 Thresher #76738, Case Centennial B 2x16 Plow |
Dave (NE) wrote:Posted By: Dave (NE)
Date Posted: 31 Mar 2019 at 6:17pm
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So just the propane torch should do the trick? That will make it easier to handle with two hands. Thanks ------------- Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience. Mark Twain. |
Posted By: Jim.ME
Date Posted: 31 Mar 2019 at 6:23pm
| Do any of you fellows drill a 1/16 - 3/32 bleed hole in the disc to let the air purge and help thermostat reaction time? I do. Some thermostat are/were made with bleed holes. |
Posted By: DSeries4
Date Posted: 31 Mar 2019 at 7:24pm
You can get them in 2 temperatures. 160 and 180 F. I always go for 180 since they are not doing constant hard work at my place. ------------- '49 G, '54 WD45, '55 CA, '56 WD45D, '57 WD45, '58 D14, '59 D14, '60 D14, '63 D15D, '66 D15II, '66 D21II, '67 D17IV, '67 D17IVD, '67 190XTD, '73 620, '76 185, '77 175, '84 8030, '85 6080 |
Posted By: Dave (NE)
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2019 at 10:38am
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Seems like I will need to drain at least some of the antifreeze out in order to heat up the bolts and take the thermostat out. Any good ideas on the best way to do this? ------------- Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience. Mark Twain. |
Posted By: DSeries4
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2019 at 10:57am
Open one of the drain cocks. There are 2 to choose from. ------------- '49 G, '54 WD45, '55 CA, '56 WD45D, '57 WD45, '58 D14, '59 D14, '60 D14, '63 D15D, '66 D15II, '66 D21II, '67 D17IV, '67 D17IVD, '67 190XTD, '73 620, '76 185, '77 175, '84 8030, '85 6080 |
Posted By: Ted J
Date Posted: 05 Apr 2019 at 5:28pm
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Bill_MN, that number isn't correct. I went there and it doesn't fit my tractor. I did a search and all that did come up was a gasket for the thermostat. On Monday I'm going to try again. I want to send this: I am searching the site for thermostats for my tractors. Allis-Chalmers tractors, one is a CA year 1954 and the other a WD45 year 1956 When I search, all I get is info for the gasket. HELP ------------- "Allis-Express" 19?? WC / 1941 C / 1952 CA / 1956 WD45 / 1957 WD45 / 1958 D-17 |