Abstract:
A thermostat valve support assembly for a a vehicle is disclosed. The assembly includes a cylindrical ring body which supports the thermostat valve component, and three flat arms extending from the body with hook ends on each arm. The valve support assembly is inserted into one end of a coolant hose such as the upper radiator hose in an engine compartment until the hook ends become bent over the hose end. The end of the hose is then positioned about a flange-neck connection point of the engine block or the radiator, and is clamped in place until a watertight seal is formed. The arms can be formed from plastic or metal such as aluminum, galvanized steel, brass, tin, copper or combination thereof. The location of the assembly allows for an easier installation and removal of the thermostat valve as compared to prior valves which are generally located in hard to reach locations. The preferred embodiment has an adapter ring encircling the thermostat valve body and sized to fit the hose in which the body is inserted so that rings of different outside diameters can be used with hoses of different sizes.