Thermostat Housing Replacement ??'s

sewerrat · Dec 29, 2010

Got some leaking from my thermostat housing that is making my belt squeal like a pig in heat. Just ordered a new housing and gasket.
Do I need to drain the coolant out first? If so, how?
Is this a quick job? 2 bolts, right?
Do I need to remove anything to get at the housing?

Thanks

ParadiseXJ · Dec 29, 2010

Hoses, that's it.

joe_peters · Dec 29, 2010

ParadiseXJ said:
Hoses, that's it.

Yep, just remember that those two bolts are not equal length, that they often break off due to corrosion, and to scrape the thermostat housing and the engine mounting surface completely prior to reassembly--the smallest little piece of old gasket/sealer and you will have a leak.

I would plan on replacing those two bolts, and use stainless steel.

Next time I have to change mine I am going to put in stainless steel studs, that will make the job easier in the future.

sewerrat · Dec 29, 2010

Good advice . . I'd like to have spare bolts on hand.
Any idea what size ?

cruiser54 · Dec 29, 2010

PS- The bolts are easier to get out and back in if you loosen the serpentine belt a bit.

mfascuba · Dec 30, 2010

I used never-seize on just about every fastener on my jeep when stuff is disassembled and reassembled. Getting the sealing surface clean is the tough part of this job - clean it, scrape it, use some indian head gasket shellack on the gasket so it will stick and seal, then install the new thermostat & housing. I did mine with the radiator and A/C evap coil out, easy day.

RichP · Dec 30, 2010

mfascuba said:
I used never-seize on just about every fastener on my jeep when stuff is disassembled and reassembled. Getting the sealing surface clean is the tough part of this job - clean it, scrape it, use some indian head gasket shellack on the gasket so it will stick and seal, then install the new thermostat & housing. I did mine with the radiator and A/C evap coil out, easy day.

Everybody forgets about that old school Indian Head but man it seals once it heat cures.

johnnyc · Dec 30, 2010

The torque value is not very high on those two bolts. Do not overtighten them or you can crack the housing.

cruiser54 · Dec 30, 2010

RichP said:
Everybody forgets about that old school Indian Head but man it seals once it heat cures.

I picked some of that up about a year ago. I like it. Also like Permatex 1A, 2A, and 2B. Old school stuff that works great. So much emphasis on RTV these days..........

JPs01XJ · Dec 30, 2010

Everything these guys said is great. Loosening the belt may help, but it is not necessary. Just use a deep well socket on the bottom to get past the belt.

And if you can get the front end up in the air it will help minimize coolant loss too.

Thermostat Housing Replacement ??'s

sewerrat

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ParadiseXJ

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joe_peters

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sewerrat

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cruiser54

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mfascuba

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RichP

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johnnyc

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cruiser54

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JPs01XJ

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