[graham7773]

dirty hands, I have the ford motor and the thermostat appears to be in the same place as the mazda 2l. I have to say, this is the first time I have seen the thermostat positioned at the end of the bottom hose. More usually at the end of the top hose (there is definitely no thermostat at the end of the head. ) where heated coolant occurs first. Thanks again to all members who have contributed to this thread. Just on the housing at the end of the head, it is square with no way of fitting a thermostat. I have it off and can see no evidence of a thermostat ever having been there.
dirty hands, re your quote "what is Bathurst without Ford and Holden", what's wrong with a bunch of Volvo's and Audi's trundling around Panorama? Except no spectators.