i got a 180 degree themo a while back and it hasnt been installed yet and it didnt come with any instructions so what do i need to do to install it? how long and is it a quick easy thing? its for a 87 iroc 305tpi thanks.

 

Install time about 10-20 min.
Du u have a gasket for it ? That would be a plus.

If u look at your intake manifold, there is a water neck where the upper radiator hose runs to. ( should have 2 bolts or nuts on it )

Take that off and you will be looking at the thermostat !!!!

Make sure u put it in the right way around,,,so look at the one in it first , before u take it out.

I like to use gasket sealer on the gasket top and bottom.

Hope this helps.

 

ya it came with the gasket. thanks for the mini turtorial. do i need to drain any coolant? thanks

 

It helps to drain it,, but if u don't it will drain anyways as soon as u get the neck off. LOL

 

ok so i found what i need to do but when i started to losen the hose coolant started leaking so where do i drain the coolant at?

 

If you're looking to drain without disconnecting anything first, there is a pet-**** on the lower passenger side of the radiator, looks like a wing nut. Pull that out, loosen the radiator cap and have a bucket handy to catch the coolant. You can replace the pet-**** when you've drained enough for the coolant level to be below the thermostat.

 

You dont have to drain the coolant, i have changed mine a few times without draining it. You wont loose that much, might just have to top it off.

 

thank you! so do i need to twist off or just pull? and its probaly not ideal to pour in the same coolant correct? is there any harm in that because i just topped off the coolant and it hasnt moved since then and its a high quality coolant. thanks.

 

well as soon as i started removing the hose coolant started dripping out and i JUST topped it off.

 

Just like a wing nut, give it a few twists CCW. As long as the bucket or whatever you use is clean, and the coolant as you say is new, there shouldn't be any reason you can't reuse it.

 

There is still coolant stuck in the hose between the rad and the thermostat. This should be the only coolant that comes out, should not be huge amount.

 

U can reuse it , not a problem if it looks still clean.

DON"T DRAIN IT ALL OUT , MAYBE 2 QUARTS OR SO !!!!!!! That should be enough to do the thermostat.

 

ok thats good i never heard if you could or not. thanks for your help

 

so do you think if i say keep a cup or something under the hose when i losen it and when it is finally lose should i hold the hose up towards so it flows into the radiator?

 

That might work, i just use some shop towels to soak up the coolant that leaks out, then just tilt the hose. When your done let the car run until the thermostat opens, then you can see if and how much coolant you have to add. Also make sure you dont have any air pockets in the system.

 

cool i hope it'll work i'll go try thanks.

 

hi, ok i got the hose off and i also removed airbox so i could get to it better but the rear bolt you have to use a deep socket but i dont have the correct size and anyone care to find out what size i'll need. and the front bolt is really difficult to get to and dont know how i'll get to it.

 

TPI huh?

It is tricky to reach, but not impossible. Might need a swivel, might need to use a wrench to get to it.

 

thanks i know the rear bolt would be easily reached with a 6in extension but not sure about the other 1.

 

never got this done lol, tried at it tonight but couldnt find the proper size socket/wrench. what size do i need an will i need any attachments for a ratchet.

 

I just did a thermostat on my 86 TPI, I believe the bolts were 9/16". For the front one I used a regular open end but could only turn it a tiny bit at a time but it can be done. Next time I'd buy and use a ratcheting wrench, maybe even with a flex head, should make it much easier. I also used the open end on the rear bolt as well. Make sure you have a new gasket as well. Get in there and work around what's in your way, don't give up, it's one of those good somewhat easy jobs to start with working on your car, you can do it.

 

I disagree the ratchet wrench would take longer and more movement. The open end wrench takes quite a bit of movement to turn the bolt a small amount and then it hits something, take it off, possibly flip it over, back on, and turn a small amount, repeat. The ratchet wrench turns the bolt more b/c it's straight on and you don't need to remove it once it's on. I borrowed a fixed headed one to final tighten the front bolt and it seemed much better.
That said an open end will get it done.
Also make sure you clean off all the old gasket material from the water neck and the intake manifold before re-installing.