22 replies to this topic

[dklawson]

I couldn't get the link to work at home last night but it's OK at work... curious.

That's a bolt, not a stud. You don't need to buy them from MiniSpares, you could do just as well selecting your own from a local industrial supplier (over here... I can get those bolts at a DIY center). From memory, I believe these are threaded 5/16-18. The magic to selecting the bolts is to start with a single bolt longer than you need. Place the thermostat, gasket, and cover in place and run the long bolt down into the first tapped hole until it bottoms out. Use a marker to indicate on the bolt shank where the top surface of the cover is. Repeat this for each of the three tapped holes. Remove the bolt and measure the distance from the end of the bolt to the nearest pen mark. Buy bolts as close to that length as you can. When you add the top radiator bracket and a lock washer... they will keep the bolts from bottoming out in the tapped holes when tightened

I used stainless steel bolts. However, coat the shank and threads of the bolt with anti-seize compound or a gasket sealer. Even with stainless, there's a good potential for galvanic corrosion with cast iron, aluminum, brass and stainless steel all held so closely together.

[Will]

Right, i've only just got round to doing this... i've got the t-stat cover off now i just wondering whether i should smash the sandwich plate aswell?

Cheers

[dklawson]

Sandwich plate? Your car's too late for me to advise on that one. I don't have a sandwich plate.

[Will]

Anyone?

[AlexM]

should smash the sandwich plate aswell?

You might as well, i had to when i did mine, Minispares would be the place to get a new one, there are like five very different types so make sure that you get the correct one!

When you put it back on use plenty of anti-seize compound on the studs.

[Will]

I've already got a new one thanks, anyone know which temperature sensor i need?

[Will]

Well.. i've found out it's not a temperature sensor i need, its a thermostat vacuum valve... but i dont really need it (so i've been told) so how do i plug the hole? With the old one?

[Will]

Oh yeah, forgot to say that i snapped the platic bits off the other one...