Hey guys, I purchased a Chiltons for my 88 F150 so I could perform some routine maintenance under the shade tree. I need to replace the thermostat I think because the heater does not warm up as fast as I think it should. I replaced the heater core and it seemed to improve the heating but not enough. I was thinking it is the thermostat. Anyway, the picture in the chiltons does not match with where the thermostat is on my engine and one of the bolts that hold the housing to the engine cannot be accessed without a special tool or so it appears does anyone have any idea of how to remove the housing without removing the waterpump so the thermostat can be checked and replaced???

Thanks,

Ricalbuq

 

this what ya looking for? I guessed on the engine size.

 

It sounds like you have a 5.0 where the housing is on the front of the lower itake and you can't get to the bottom bolt very easy. I think you can get to the top bolt ok, if you loosen and turn the distributor you can get to the bottom bolt much easier. You can take the throttle body off, and front accessories to give more room as well. If I remember right though it is pretty easy to get at if you just move the distributor. You will need to remove the radiator hose from the thermostat housing so you can hold the thermostat in the groove while you put the housing back on the intake. If it gets out of the groove you will have a good leak.

 

tripndrag is right . Once the distriubutor is rotated you should be able to get at the lower bolt. Dont forget to mark the location of the distributor before you move it. I would replace the bypass hose if it has been on there for a few years since your there anyways. Stating the obvious remember the orientation of the "stat" when you take it out because it can go in backwards.

 

First put a themometer in the radiator and check the
water temp that is moving past the stat to see if it is correct

 

i use a box end wrench heated and bent with a torch looks like this )
works real good get and old china wrench

 

Moving the distributor might make it easier, but there isn't really a need to move it if you don't have/want to. Just use a regular old box end wrench (well maybe a stubby one-I have a 1/2" box wrench that is about 6" long and it fits great) and you'll be fine.