Ok i have a new 195* tstat to replace mine which i suspect is not opening fully anymore. Yes i have hit the search button but with so many people talking about 160 t-stats i get about 3 million returns. Anyway, is there anything i need to look out for and such when i change it? Yes i know they make cooler stats that i can get at the local parts store, but i am moveing to chicago here in about a month and a half and figure that best all around will be stock especially when i get the air dam on. It doesn't look like a bad job (compared to my bmw with at least 3 hoses t-ing in to the stat and being halfway down the engine on a slant 4) so i am not expecting trouble, but just want to know before i end up with out a car.

Tough winter in Chicago and you'll be glad you used a 195. It is pretty cut and dry. Drain coolant below the top hose, remove hose and two fasteners that retain the thermostat housing. Pop out the stat, installation is reverse. If I were you I would pick up AC Delco gasket. It has a impregnated rubber seal that doesn't need any sealer and makes the job faster. Bleed the system when topping off coolant and your set. Check the recovery bottle in a week or so as some coolant will be drawn back down.

Yep it was pretty easy an straight forward. *** i love gm small blocks, everything (except the distributor and on the newer engines the starter) easy to get to and change. I may never buy anything that isn't powered by a smb chevy again. Seems to run abit cooler, but i also now have and ac compressor bearing going out and that may be putting excess drag on the engine so i may be doing and ac delete (since the clutch is out as well and i hate ac in cars). First things first though now for an airdam and inspection so i can put legal plates on it.