Changing Thermostat

Now that temperatures are rising so is my oil temperature! It hit over 230 today and when I pulled over to see if the front oil cooler was hot, it was COLD to the touch. My mechanic suggests, "bad thermostat". So, I wanted to know if anyone can lend some advise on just how to change one in a 2.4. Any need to drain the oil, jack up the car, special tools? Do they come in varying temperature ranges? Could I have something else going wrong if the front cooler and longitudinal oil lines to the front are not warm? Any help is always appreciated from you folks.

Thanks
Bob '73.5 T (CIS)

Most likely a stuck thermostat if your oil lines are't crimped somewhere...are you sure the oil lines aren't pinched anywhere along the rocker? If not then you will need to drain the oil, jack up the rear right (not using the emergency jack) and remove the rear right tire to gain access to your auxilary thermostat.
To remove it you'll need some rather large wrenches. Soak the fittings in WD-40 as long as you can because I've heard of some people loosing threads. Don't plan on replacing it just yet. I'd remove it, put it in a pot of boiling water, see if it operates properly, and if it isn't, disassemble it and clean it out real good. Then put it back together and try it again in the water to see if it's working yet.
If not then I guess it is replacement time. Good luck,
Leland Pate

Bob -
I just changed out my two oil lines coming from the aux thermostate. I couldn't do it on the car...the fittings were really frozen to the aluminum thermostate. I wound up taking the whole assembly out of the car..all the way to the front wheel. I was then able to get the thermostate positioned on a vise to do some major wrenching. After soaking in PB blaster I was able to remove the fittings. I used never-sieze on reassembly. You can test the thermostate by putting in a coffee can of oil on the stove. Use a candy thermometer to measure the temperature. Good luck.
Bruce


------------------
Bruce
1982 SC