Engine drop or injection removal

[88911coupe]

I have an oil leak in the ring for the oil cooler thermostat and the general concensus seems to be to do a partial drop. However, it looks like it may be easier to remove just the right side injectors and intake manifold to get at it. Any suggestions or warnings about doing this. I am assuming I need to replace the old seals on the injectors but is there anything else that I could be screwing up by using this method?
Comments appreciated

[azasadny]

I did a partial engine drop a few years ago and an engine swap this past summer and the partial engine drop allows you access to most of the areas you'll need access to. You can replace the oil cooler thermostat seal, soundproofing pad, vacuum hoses, fuel lines, clamps, etc... I replaced my rear shocks and motor mounts while I was back there. The partial engine drop is well documented in Wayne's book (101 Projects). It's a nice, easy way to gain access to alot of areas. Good luck!

[88911coupe]

Good point Art...I'd forgotten about the possibly leaky cooler seals. Although I can actually watch the oil leak out from under the top of the thermostat so I know that's leaking. I've done a partial drop on my car before a couple of times but I always feel like I'm going to break something moving it up and down, even if just a few inches. It still seems like it's going to be tough to work on the areas I need to get at even with a drop since the intake runner on the passenger side is right in the way. Maybe do both?

[john walker's workshop]

84-89s just need the air cleaner and airflow meter out of the way to get to the thermostat.

[88911coupe]

John, thanks for the info. I do have one question though...what is the fairly stiff bundle of wires(?) that is directly over the thermostat? It seems very rigid and I'm worried about damaging it if I move it out of the way to get to the thermostat.

[88911coupe]

Anyone have a suggestion on whatever that group of wires is that is rigidly positioned right on top of the thermostat I need to remove? What am I at the risk of breaking if I'm going to try and push it out of the way without really getting a good look at it?
Thanks

[88911coupe]

OK, I finally got the thing out but now my marks are worn off telling me how it was oriented in the hole. I assume there is a correct way to reinstall it but how do you tell. There are two openings on the thermostat body and one is lower than the other...how should it be oriented or does it matter?

Thanks,

[Gunter]

I believe it matters.
My Bentley SC Manual shows the lower opening facing the cylinders.
Surprisingly, there is no reference to this in Wayne's books on engine rebuild or 101 projects that I can see.
Hope that someone has an answer.

[88911coupe]

Thanks...I'm surpised there's no mention I can find either but it does seem like it would matter.