Leaking Thermostat
 

Have been lurking for a while, but time for an opinion from the masses!

I've recently purchased a 1980 SC, and absolutely love it. Flew 1000km's to pick it up. Jumped in, and drove it back without a hitch. Fantastic! Well… almost…

The external thermostat has a slow leak on the upper most fitting. It doesn't seem to be a torrent, but it gets fairly wet. I've gone through 1 liter of oil in about 2500km's.

The question I have is… I've got an event coming up that would involve a 1000km road trip over 4 days. I'd love to do this in the SC, but am a bit nervous about the leak getting worse.

Options are… Leave it, and just top it up as I go, and hope it doesn't get worse

Try and tighten it, and hope it doesn't strip the threads.

Tightening it, and/or loosening it is my biggest concern. Ideally, the oil that is leaking past will mean that the threads aren't seized, but if they are, and it strips, then it'll be a few weeks with the car off the road while I wait for parts. IE: no road trip.

I have no problem sorting it out after the trip…..

What are everyones thoughts on the chances of this leak getting worse?

The leak will most likely get progressively worse...not by a lot.

I would pack some extra oil, accept the leak for the trip, and address upon return.

Why?

I have the exact same issue and am finally going to tackle this week-weekend. Changing the oil lines from engine/tank process ruined the threads on the t-stat. Despite my taking UBER care.

I changed the lines 4/13, they began leaking 6/13...I drove the car another 2500miles since... In that time the leak developed from clean, to a seep, then to a run down the oil line, now after a drive it will emit 1 drip onto the ground below.

Really annoying thing is the oil has gotten into the torsion tube and can be seen on the driver side tube end...

After I install the new t-stat, some cleaning is in order.