over heating not cooling correctly

[favrok01]

all engine problems seemingly resolved i have a slight overheating problem.

i have traced it to a point where the temp is at 9:00 and i touch the tubes going to the front mounted cooler and they are cool.

they are cool all the way to the point where number 50 is i dont know what this device is but it is hot to this point on the engine.

what do i do???

[Jim Sims]

Do you have a '73? That's what the figure you posted matches. Item 50 is the thermostat housing. Apparently the thermostat (inside) is not opening. Open the housing (remove cover with large slot - shown under tank in your figure) and check the thermostat for proper function. I opened such a housing by removing it from the car, mounting it in a vise and using a specially made, well fitted tool to engage the slot and unscrew the cover. These thermostat housings are fragile and the male aluminum threads often corrode to the steel nuts on the oil lines. If you are fortunate a PO or former mechanic used anti-seize compound on the threads and they'll readily release. Some sacrifice the oil lines by carefully cutting off the oil line nuts and splitting them away to avoid stripping the aluminum threads on the housing. This means buying new (fairly expensive) oil lines though. If you attempt to remove the cover with the housing still mounted to the oil tank be reasonable with the torque applied to the cover and attempt the react the torque with another tool so you don't break the fitting brazed to the oil tank. You will need to drain oil from the tank for this work and also be aware that the joints make surafce seals to the inside spherical surfaces. They do not seal using the threads.

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

Yup, you need to replace the thermostat internals--piston, spring a couple of gaskets as I remember. I wouldn't even bother testing it:you have verified by the Touch Test that the thermostat is not opening. You can put it into boiling water, have it x-rayed or MRI'ed, but why bother. It ain't openin', dude...

I don't know if it's possible to open up the thermostat in situ, since I had everything out of the car last time I did it, but it just may be that you can do the job without removing the 'stat from the lines. Check it out.

[favrok01]

this is great news i will get on taking care of this as it seems to be my last issue with the car. If i can not formulate a plan on opening this item without breaking it then i will have a shop do it.

and no its a 83 but the layout is the same i thought.

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

I used a huge, fat washer about three inches in diameter, held in the jaw of ViceGrips, as a "screwdriver" to open that cover that gives access to the piston and spring.

[Jim Sims]

An '83 is significantly different: thermostat housing is not mounted on tank.

[favrok01]

Your corect it is in the front of the pass wheel well.