Hi all,
Did the head gasket at the weekend, also replacing the rad, water pump and thermostat at the same time (so i know my coolant system is spot on!), got the head back on and then went to take the thermostat housing off...
Ended up snapping the outlet for the top rad hose off in the process but still havnt managed to get it to budge! Ordered a new housing and studs (just incase!) off minispares and i'm hoping they come this week sometime so i can get the engine back together...
Any tips for getting the damn thing off lol?
Cheers,
Matt.
Can't Get Thermostat Housing Off... Help!
Started by
Waffs1984
, May 06 2008 10:03 AM
5 replies to this topic
#2
Ethel
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Posted 06 May 2008 - 10:53 AM
The alloy corrodes on to the studs, so they do get stuck.
You may have to resort to cutting it off: try and leave enough of the studs to wind them out by. you could try the two nut trick to remove the studs if you can get enough thread exposed - or one nut and a blob of weld on the end of the stud.
You may have to resort to cutting it off: try and leave enough of the studs to wind them out by. you could try the two nut trick to remove the studs if you can get enough thread exposed - or one nut and a blob of weld on the end of the stud.
#3
Waffs1984
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Posted 06 May 2008 - 10:56 AM
Hi!
Well i dont have a welder so that options out the window! Theres enough thread sticking up above the housing to get 2 nuts on, only thing is will i be able to turn them if its corroded onto the housing? Also is the stud usually corroded into the thread in the block aswell? Is it likely to end up a drill and tap it job?
Matt.
Well i dont have a welder so that options out the window! Theres enough thread sticking up above the housing to get 2 nuts on, only thing is will i be able to turn them if its corroded onto the housing? Also is the stud usually corroded into the thread in the block aswell? Is it likely to end up a drill and tap it job?
Matt.
#4
Jammy
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Posted 06 May 2008 - 11:11 AM
The last two I've had to take off... One I had to smash to pieces, the other I managed to get two bolts out, and then the whole thermostat span on the third whilst I was undoing it. Never did get that third bolt out, so another scrap!
#5
dklawson
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Posted 06 May 2008 - 12:05 PM
Since the housing is toast, use a Dremel or similar tool to score it around the stud holes, then use a cold chisel to break it apart carefully.
Use heat, penetrating oil, and hammer blows (in that order) to shock the studs loose. Take your time. Do this over several days to allow the oil to wick into the threads. THEN use the double-nut method to back the studs out. When the stud first begins to move, apply more oil and then screw it back in. Repeat this in-out rotation with oil as necessary. The back and forth motion will gently work the rusty fastener loose.
Yes, mild steel studs were the original factory component. However, a friend of mine in OZ convinced me to replace the studs with stainless steel bolts of the correct length. He also encouraged me to coat the shank of the bolt with anti-seize compound (copper grease) to prevent any future corrosion. I have been very pleased with the results.
Use heat, penetrating oil, and hammer blows (in that order) to shock the studs loose. Take your time. Do this over several days to allow the oil to wick into the threads. THEN use the double-nut method to back the studs out. When the stud first begins to move, apply more oil and then screw it back in. Repeat this in-out rotation with oil as necessary. The back and forth motion will gently work the rusty fastener loose.
Yes, mild steel studs were the original factory component. However, a friend of mine in OZ convinced me to replace the studs with stainless steel bolts of the correct length. He also encouraged me to coat the shank of the bolt with anti-seize compound (copper grease) to prevent any future corrosion. I have been very pleased with the results.
#6
Waffs1984
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Posted 06 May 2008 - 01:15 PM
Thanks for the replies guys,
OMG, this sounds like a right pain in the @ss! I might have to get hold of a dremel and just cut the old housing off, trying not to damage the thread on the studs, it's gonna have a Stage 3 head fitted at some point soon-ish so im not too worried as long as i can replace the thermostat and housing for now.
You mean the head was scrap or just the housing!!!?!?!?!?!
Cheers,
Matt.
OMG, this sounds like a right pain in the @ss! I might have to get hold of a dremel and just cut the old housing off, trying not to damage the thread on the studs, it's gonna have a Stage 3 head fitted at some point soon-ish so im not too worried as long as i can replace the thermostat and housing for now.
The last two I've had to take off... One I had to smash to pieces, the other I managed to get two bolts out, and then the whole thermostat span on the third whilst I was undoing it. Never did get that third bolt out, so another scrap!
You mean the head was scrap or just the housing!!!?!?!?!?!
Cheers,
Matt.
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