how easy to replace thermostat?

[Tom Tom Turbo]

I've never done it on these cars. am I in for some fun, or will it be a 30 min. job?



tips?

thanks

 

[Danster]

Easy to replace. However, if it still has the original housing it will probably be destroyed taking it out. I would get a billet one with the new oring and be done with it.

Dannyo

 

[pacecarta]

at minimum you will need a thermostat and a new oring seal

the thermostat is at the end of the upper radiator hose ,
start by draining out about a gallon or so of antifreeze from the drain plaug at the passenger side of radiator.
you dont have to remove the hose as you can use it to pull out the thermostat housing but you have to remove the retainer plate that holds the thermostat housing (1 bolt) , this housing is basically a peice of pipe with provision for an oring to seal it and has a bump for the the reatainer plate and then reduces for the hose fitting , problem is if yours is original they are onlymade mild steel and tend to corrode and fall apart just trying to remove them
best thing to do is get a new thermostat housing (they have billet stainless now) and have it ready when you do the swap
when you pull the hose out you may find its still has antifreeze in it if the thermosta doesnt have a hole it in

once the housing is out just pull out the old thermostat and replace with the new one ,
i would recommend drilling a small hole in(about 1/8 in) will drain out
grease up the new oring and put the hosing back into the manifold . tighten the retainer clamp but not too tight since it being overly tight is not required for a seal.
refill the radiator and check the level after getting it to temp
if you havent done it alread now is a good time to replace the radiator cap as well and check all the hoses and replace any that seem to have soft spots or swelling at ends