Hey all -

I need to replace the thermostat in my truck - 2002 F150, 5.4L, FX4, about 120K miles. Now, I've done everything up to and including removing the power steering reservoir mounting bolt and the two thermostat housing mounting bolts.

Now, the book says that the housing should just "lift off". However, the thermostat housing is firmly stuck to the mounting surface and won't budge. I've tried tapping it with a hammer and block of wood, prying it up by tapping a putty knife under the edge, pulling, yanking, and cursing at it, and it won't move.

Has anyone come across this problem before? I don't want to beat on it too much because I don't want to damage it, and I can't heat it because there's too much in proximity to the housing.

Any ideas? Thanks all!

**Sorry, I meant "stuck" thermostat housing in the subject.