I finally got a new thermostat put in my 87 SE today...and finally the freakin thing is not running hot. Lastnight it got so hot that when I got back to my place it was steaming everywhere and dumped the coolant in my parking lot...but I think finally the it is running where it should be...now if I just chase down my vacuum leak I will have a new car the only bad part is I had to pay someone to put it in because I could not get the back bolt out in order to remove the thermostat....anyway if anyone else is running hot I would say change the thermostat. Also if any one knows a good way to get to that back bolt holding the thermostat in then please let me know, because normal socket wrenchs w/swivles, and wrenches will not get it.

 

deep wall 3/8 inch drive craftsman socket and wrench worked. The only problem I had was the 2 gallons of coolant I forgot to drain spilling in my face. Should have known better lol.

 

lol, I need to do a thermostat and complete cooling system flush. :P

S

 

make sure you drain it from the bottom hose I thought about that happening but I figured that what was in the engine would come out of the radiator tap, I was wrong lol

 

lol hahaha! You could also use the block drain valve as well....it's a pita to get to and get loose though.

S

 

Hey, I just swapped my thermostat today too, I had the same problem with overheating, thanks for the advise using the deep well 3/8 socket, worked like a charm, my only complaint was that it went together a lot faster than it came apart, I decided to remove the overflow tank and loosen quite a few other screws to get enough room to work in there. Now I just need to change oil and filter, man i'm not looking forward to that.

 

I replaced it while I was doing my transmission work so I dont have too much helpfull advice. If you cant get to it from above, try unbolting the flexpipe from the exaust down pipe and moving it out of the way, it should give you a decent shot at the filter. The axle may be in the way, I dunno, those were out too when I was doing it.