Didn’t expect to have any spare time or feel up to working on the Orion anytime soon...
But managed to pull it out from hibernation and play around the thermostats plus flush the coolant system
Pulled the original one out ( no markings on it unfortunately so not sure what temp stat it was, can only presume standard 88-92 deg? )
Replacements I’d ordered via eBay were


A original Ford item ( think that was a low 80 deg stat )


And a Mlr 74 deg stat

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F122786100852

The 74 deg stat with a slimmer seal has fitted perfect with no trimming
The difference in warm up and fans kicking in seems positive too
Top hose is warm with the temp gauge less than half way up
And the fans are kicking in lower down ( between 1/2-3/4 ) which is great news





While out ticking over I give it a quick wash