How do you take off the thermastat cover, to replace the O ring?

[72SMFI]

Please tell me this is easy. I have the Oring however I cant get the cover off. I tried tapping and pulling with big channel locks,to no avail... I dont want to damage any thing so I am humbally asking the list. Thanks Wayne. btw car is 72S MFI

[emcon5]

You mean the one for the engine oil cooler? I am pretty sure it is just 2 M6 nuts.

Tom

[72SMFI]

Yes the one on the engine. I took off the two nuts. However the cover dos not budge!

[ChrisBennet]

The thermostat has a groove around the edge that is great for prying. I use one of those "Z' shaped flat bladed screwdrivers to pry it out. It doesn't take much force.
-Chris

[Rick Lee]

If you mean the one on the passenegr side toward the front top of the engine, it just has two 10mm nuts and I pried mine up with a flat tip screwdriver. It wasn't too tough. I don't think you have to be too gentle, as it's all steel and the O-ring isn't even flush against the top. Mine pulled right out and I put the new O-ring right in the groove. The trickiest part (and it was no problem) was getting that housing back in there without picking up any dust or debris on it. Just jimmy a flat tip in there. As long as you're in there, replace the breather cover gasket too right next to it.

[motion]

The radiator cap is located just to the right of the smuggler's box. Look just below that to find the thermostat housing. Use a small screwdriver to pry the o-ring out. Don't forget to use vasoline when replacing with a new o-ring.

[Chuck Moreland]

It can be held in snuggly by the seal. Sometimes it helps to use two screwdrivers at the same time, on opposite sides. That can make it easier to pull it straight up.

Be sure to re-install with the same orientation, you don't want to get it in there backwards.

[Early_S_Man]

The thermostat housing is Aluminum!!!

Two bottle openers ... apply force simultaneously on both sides under the 'lip!'

[72SMFI]

Thanks for the help will report back Wayne

[Wayne 962]

A picture is worth a thousand words:



-Wayne

[Brunosan]

i have a 70 2.2l and had a horrible experience with it...i actually removed the two small nuts and couldnt pry it out....FYI you might want to check the other sensor behind it/it hits it on its way out..might have to remove it as well....i actually started the car with the nuts off and after 30 seconds...it came out with about a quart of oil...
never intended to start it without the nuts...but oh well it came out anyway....had to clean up though....hehehehe

good luck prying it off

[72SMFI]

Wayne, Thanks for the pic! However it should be noted that the screwdriver will not work when the engine shrowd is in place! I used the bottle operner trick for getting the thermastat loose. However it cant get the thermastat off because of the pressure sensor is in the way.Thankfully the bottle opener was in hand to open my beer. Now I just need a 17 mm crowfoot, that is a little longer than the one I have now.Which will work to get the sensor off. I will also need some sealing rings for the sensor. Looks like my car might sit in the garage all weekend. Wayne

[david914]

While we're on the subject, has anyone been successful at R&R'ing the t-stat with the engine still in the car? ('82 SC) Is it possible just doing a partial engine drop?

[73911guy]

PS the studs are off center and the thermostat will go back in only one way, as I learned when I didn't note which way it was in originally. No problem - you'll find out quickly if you are 180 degrees off.
Jim