Missing part of my thermostat?

[0-60n4]

Since I didn't know what thermostat was in the car, I decided to replace whatever was in there with a 160 degree and also get the new stainless inlet pipe. First I would like to meet the engineer that put that thermostat in that location.

When removed the inlet pipe I saw the outer housing of the thermostat. I pulled it out and there was nothing behind it. It was just the outer part. I searched around inside and could not find the main body of the thermostat. Don't know where any parts could end up. Think a previous owner decided to run with no thermostat and just put the out part in there for some reason???

 

[salvageV6]

Probably just put the outer part in there as a typical thermostat outer part restriction, but would run like the thermostat was fully open all the time.

At least that's what I would be hoping if I just bought the car.