Timothayyy

iTrader: (2)

I plan on getting a 180 degree thermostat because their only like 10$. I dont know how to install it?
Any one have any guides? Or is it better to just take it to a shop?

Apeiron

Not much to it, you just take off the thermostat housing and put it in with a new gasket and sealer.

Why do you want to change it?

Timothayyy

iTrader: (2)

My car runs a little hot and summers right around the corner. And doesent it give me a little more performance?

Wheres the thermostat housing?

http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductD...pe=133&PTSet=A
Thats the one im going to get, what gasket and sealer do I need?

Apeiron

Changing the thermostat alone won't do much for the running temperature or performance.

slow_90firebird

I have a 180* in my LO3, its great. And thermostats are cake to install. I am guessing you are kinda new to working on cars.

When you go to get the thermostat (autozone has them cheap, and all different temps but dont go below 180) get an extra jug of coolant. The cheapest valucraft will be fine. If you dont want to mix the coolant, they sell pre-dilute that has the 50/50 water mix already.

Also, I would pick up a new thermostat gasket. They are like $5 or so. If you dont use it, you can always return it, or save it for later.

You might need to take off the air cleaner to get better access to the thermostat bolts, but it can be done with it on.

The thermostat sits under the water neck. That is the metal "ball shape" that the upper radiator hose goes on. It flows the coolant into the intake manifold. There is 2 bolts to take it off.

First, make sure the car is cold. Remove the radiator cap, to release any pressure that might be in there. Then, take out the 2 thermostat bolts. You can leave the radiator hose connected. You will prob. need to use a thin screwdriver to pry up on the water neck. Once it comes undone, you can lift up on the radiator hose. This will expose the thermostat. Coolant will be spilling everywhere, dont worry. Make sure the new thermostat goes in the same way the old one came out.

If the gasket it cracked or damaged, you will need to replace it. Make sure you scrape good to get it down to bare metal on both sides. If you dont clean it perfect, it could leak even with the new seal. Put the new gasket in, and tighten the bolts down pretty good to squeeze the gasket.

Once it is all sealed back up, fill the radiator back up with new antifreeze. Leave the cap off, and start the engine. You should see the antifreeze level in the radiator itself go down (not the plastic resivoir). Keep filling it up. Sometimes an air bubble will puke some antifreeze back out. Just keep filling it up, untill you think all the air bubbles are out. You will notice the coolant level starting to slowly rise up the radiator neck. When it starts to just almost spill out, put the radiator cap back on. Make sure to press and tighten all the way to pressureize the system.

Go for a ride and watch the temp guage. It shouldnt spike. If it does, that means you have more air bubbles to get rid of. When you get back home, check the level in the plastic resivoir. Sometime air will work out while you drive, and coolant from the resivoir will replace it.

Good Luck.

slow_90firebird

Not my car, but the same motor

Timothayyy

iTrader: (2)

Thank you slow_90firebird!

I think ill just try to get a bucket in their and try to get as much of the coolant as I can and just dump it back in as its fairly new. Plus in a couple of months ima have a shop put in the edelbrock intake manifold, so i guess ill just have them change the fluid then.

One question though, does it matter how the radiator cap is put on? because I know it says something like [a/c with a little arrow]

But ill replace the gasket too, thanks for the diagram! very helpful
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One more question! lol

http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductD...egoryCode=4013

Is that the one ill need for my car? I think ill just go have a shop put that thing in though, lol, idk might do it myself.

Timothayyy

iTrader: (2)

I also have my car set so the radiator fan just runs all the time, the fan relay broke, so the thermostat aint totally alone. And ill eventually add dual fans to the radiator.

slow_90firebird

When you take the radiator cap off, you will see how it goes back on. You have to turn it, then press down real hard and trun again. Same with putting it back on.

As for re-using the coolant, I dont like to do that. New stuff is cheap enough. The old stuff is gonna spray out, and run down all that dirty engine bay. It will pick up all the dirt and oil grime. Do you really wanna put that back in the engine?

And the thermostat does a decent job of keeping the motor cooler.

Timothayyy

iTrader: (2)

I ask about the cap because ive seen pictures of other peoples 305's and its opposite of mine, so idk if my is backwards or something.

But I use just regular water for the radiator, right? Or is it distilled water? And the coolant.

joeynumber100

you might also want to replace the fan switch, i've never done it myself but i've heard that it makes if better for city traffic too

EDIT: nvm

Timothayyy

iTrader: (2)

Yeh, it broke on me. So now its just always running : )

Bullydawg

iTrader: (7)

Why shouldn't you go lower than a 180? I have a 160 in mine and it runs nice a cool all day long.

slow_90firebird

Well, your car is different lol. Not exactly a stock LO3 like we have. Also you live in Cali.

On a stock car like ours, any t-stat below 180 will not let the computer get into closed loop mode. It will run richer, and drivability will be different. Also, if you want your heater to throw good heat in the winter, 180 is the coldest you want to go. Now, my car does run better when its colder than 180. But that little bit is not what I want to sacrifice for horrible gas milage ect.

And for your radiator, you dont run just water. Your antifreeze is (well should be) a 50/50 mix of water and glycol (the green stuff). If you buy a regular jug of antifreeze, and it doesent say "pre-dilute" or "50/50" on the jug, that means you have to add the exact same amount of water as you added coolant. Or, you can mix the ratio before hand.

Bullydawg

iTrader: (7)

Haha, could this be the reason I am only getting 8 mpg? I think I will try a 180 and see if my MPG increase. It runs great, but it runs rich as the exhaust leaves behind a nice spray of unburnt fuel if I rev it some. hmmm

slow_90firebird

Well with all the work you have done, I would fathom a guess that you should adjust the fuel tables in your PROM before you try changing the t-stat. Also, if you are doing chip burning, there is probably a way in there to choose a custom temp for closed loop.

Timothayyy

iTrader: (2)

I got it put in along with a new gasket. My temps went from around 210 to maybe 170. So im happy. : )

Thanks for all the help guys. It wasent hard to put on.

I H8 WWD

iTrader: (5)

I chimed in late, but glad to see another person getting into the f-body vehicles.

Gad to have ya....and cant wait to help you with your next mod...

Well take care and take care of that car...

Timothayyy

iTrader: (2)

Yeah, ive only had the car since late december. And ive already added full exhaust system [done at a shop] and this thermostat. Plus I got a sweet dual snorkel intake coming in tomorrow. Next is going to be the EBL flash computer : ) [ima order it during spring break next month]

all4u

I saw this a little late but another great thing to do is get the mr. gasket reusable gasket. It is good if you run a different thermostat for winter then your summer one. I left my 180 in there and things are okay. Takes a while to warm up but that's not a big deal.

Timothayyy

iTrader: (2)

Thats actually the gasket I bought, lol. It was the only one they had at autozone.

all4u

I work part time there so I can get discounts. That is the same gasket I used and I used the mr gasket thermostat but that thermo might be a little to cold for the winter.

Timothayyy

iTrader: (2)

it seems to run fine with the 180 even though weve been having some cold nights. By the time I get on the highway [5min or so away] its running at about 170ish and stays around their.