Thermostat

[Brother]

On the external thermostat, how do you remove any lines without stripping the threads and having to replace the tstat?

I just finished Wilkinson's book and he mentions that he screwed his up in the one of the last few chapters. My parts should be here tuesday and I need to replace both lines coming back to the engine and tank.

Is there any chance that I'm not buying a new thermostat?

[Jeff Alton]

The easiest way to remove them if you are not going to reuse them is to cut the nut with a Dremel tool with a small cut off wheel. This way the bib nut splits and you will not harm the threads.

Jeff

[Brother]

good idea. I'll try that unless I find something that takes less effort.

[Jeff Alton]

It really only takes a few minutes. just one cut 90 degrees to the thread direction is all it takes (down the length of the nut)

Jeff

[Brother]

I think that is what i'll do then.

[echrisconnor]

Cutting the nuts of course ruins your lines, which end up being much more expensive than the t-stat. So, if you're not reusing the lines, this is a good approach, otherwise, you'll want to try something else. I used a combination of hammering a wrench and sheer force. In the end I only had to cut one nut off and didn't ruin any threads. The other approach is to use an air chisel to turn the nut. I've heard this is very effective, but have not personally tired it. A search will reveal dozens of posts on this same topic.

Good luck.

[Jeff Alton]

This is will destroy the lines you are right. Only use this if you have new lines on hand.

Jeff

[ChrisBennet]

Brother,
I assume (like Jeff did) that you are trying to remove just the lines you are replacing. The cutoff wheel or Dremel is the safe way to go. Use a chisel to simultaniously unscrew+separate the nut (put the tip in the cut).

Because the big oil lines connections can be so "resistant to change" I try to avoid removing/unscrewing any lines that aren't being replaced.
This usually involves taking the whole oil lines+thermostat and sometimes the oil tank out as a unit to get access to the nuts on the thermostat. I found that the lines at the front cooler usually unscrew OK.
Yeah, I know I'm a weenie but it's cheaper than wrecking a thermostat.

If you wind up removing the oil lines and thermostat together, cover the front rotor&caliper to keep oil from contaminating your brakes and put some masking tape around the fender lip to protect it. I always use a helper for this task because the lines are so long and unwieldy.
-Chris

[Brother]

We will cut those bad johnnies off this weekend. Did you apply anything to the new threads?

[Jeff Alton]

I put a small amount of antisieze on them but I am not sure if it will do any good.

Jeff

[Brother]

I suppose I want them to sieze up pretty good (with no leaks).

[ChrisBennet]

Originally posted by Brother
I suppose I want them to sieze up pretty good (with no leaks).

The don't seal on the the threads, they seal at the end. Corrosion won't make them seal any better.
-Chris