yeah, when I got the new thermo, I checked the old one, and the gasket material was still stuck on the spring side, and the other side nests down in the housing side, not the block side, so yes, the spring does go in the block, thats the way I had it.

I tried the squeeze and release trick on the upper hose and with no luck, it was entirley cool and flacid, water wasnt even making it that far.

maybe now that I know how to burp the dang thing I'll put that thermo back in before our 240 mile trip tomorrow.