I can not get the thermastat to come out of the housing...wtf...i tried prying the **** out of it but its so stuck. Ive never had an issue like this begore furing thermastat replacement. How do i get the dam thing to come out?

 

You could try taking a flat head screw driver and putting the tip up againt the side of it at some point at an angle but not too much or it will slip off. Then, tap it with a hammer or mallet lightly and see if trying to turn it will unseat it. Not sure how fragile these thermostats on these trucks are, but I have done it on another car once and it worked. I wouldn't hit it too hard though, but just try it repeatedly and see if it budges.

 

Look like someone was not up to par with their cooling system!!!!

 

Benefit of the doubt, PO (previous owner).

 

probably RTV in place.

 

yeah the PO used it as a farm truck and plow truck. They waited until everything needed replacing and/or was worn out before selling it. I got the crap end of the stick. All my grhickes are maintsined properly. I drained and flushed the cooling system. Lastly now changing the stat due to it not maintaining operating temp. If this dont solve the issue ill change the temp sensor too. Where is the temp sensor located? On the therms housing?

 

It has two temp sensors. One on each side of the pump one for the gauge and one for the light

 

i sprayed the crap out of it with wd40 and gave it a few wack with a flat head. It finally came out. Argh. Got the new thermo in, just need to replace my rusty bolts dince i rounded one out getting them out. Where do i find replacement bolts for the therm housing? At a hardware store?

 

Yes ACE should have them, might want to get some SS.

 

I'm sure you do but I just wanted to make sure you got the right thermostat as I think most places sell you one but it isn't the right one.

"Copied from diesel site"
Until 1996, all 7.3L Powerstrokes that were manufactured used an International water pump and an International short stem 203° thermostat . In 1996, Ford changed to a lower degree 195° thermostat. They changed water pump designs at this time as well. The new pumps required the new long stem 195° thermostat in place of the short stem to properly seat the bypass disk. All 1996-2003 Ford PSD's now come equipped with a long stem 195° thermostat. Recently the factory replacement thermostat available at the parts counter changed to 192°. Our Dieselsite 203° uses the correctly sized t-stat with the correct temperature spring so that we no longer have to give up the benefits of running our vehicles where they were meant to run.

http://www.dieselsite.com/dieselsite203thermostat.aspx

 

and all that goes out the door if the pump has been changed to the '97 than long stem,

 

Years ago I had one go bad, replaced with one from Autozone, and that lasted a week. Replaced with one from NAPA, that lasted a week. I finally got one from DieselSite and it lasted for years till I sold the truck.
Keep an eye on your temps, I wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't last long.

Also, I like to use threaded rod to make studs to hold the housing on. Less chance to strip the front cover and/or break a bolt during R&R.

 

i am unsure on the degree range of the thermastat. Autozone said it was the right one though. I still am running colder then i think i should be. The thermostat i put in is one of those safety ones that lock open in an overheat situation.
Could it just be a bad temp sensor?

 

it sits on the "N" when i think it should sit between the "M" and "R" right?

 

If that's a new stat from Autozone and it's on the "N", then see my post above.
It should be between the R and M....ish...