Thermostat removal
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 59
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Thermostat removal
Anyone have some advice on removing the thermostat. The truck is an 89 F-150, 5.0 w/AC. I messed around with it for a while, but it looks like I will almost have to pull all the belt brackets off just to get a clear shot at the two bolts I need to remove. Is there a trick or shortcut to this?
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 892
Likes: 1
From: Duluth, MN
Thermostat removal
I just changed my thermastat out not to long ago, and if your is like mine, the bell housing is right behind a belt mount and one of the pumps. I was able to get the top left bolt off easy by removing the 2 throttle body intake hoses. But to get the other bottom right bolt, I had to loosen the distributor, and turn it counter-clockwise so that the electronic connector piece was out of the way of the wrench. I then loosened the bolt, took the housing off and replaced the thermastat. Replaced the housing and put the bolts in...you'll then have to put the distributor back to where it was, and u may need to time it with a timing light. but good luck to u.
New User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Thermostat removal
I too have soooo much fun trying to remove my thermostat in my 89 F150 with a 302cid. What I finally found that worked best was to remove the 2 intake hoses and the upper radiator hose. I used a 3/8 ratchet and 1/2 deep well socket to remove the left bolt and I had to purchase a set of stubby wrenches from sears ($35.00) to be able to remove the right bolt> The only thing else I had to do was to remove the plug that goes into the distrubtor. GOOD LUCK Russ
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
Thermostat removal
>I just changed my thermastat out not to long ago, and if
>your is like mine, the bell housing is right behind a belt
>mount and one of the pumps.
========================
The Bell housing is part of the transmission.
If you're refering to the thermostat Housing ,on a 5L it should be up front and be fairly easy to remove.
Make sure the water level is down in the rad,it might even be time to replace that too!
Dennis
78 F-150 429CJ C6 ,Silver w/Explorer Pkge
641/2 Mustang,Pre-World's Fair Car #8092
64 Fairlane S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang.Sunlit Gold 80,000 miles
>your is like mine, the bell housing is right behind a belt
>mount and one of the pumps.
========================
The Bell housing is part of the transmission.
If you're refering to the thermostat Housing ,on a 5L it should be up front and be fairly easy to remove.
Make sure the water level is down in the rad,it might even be time to replace that too!
Dennis
78 F-150 429CJ C6 ,Silver w/Explorer Pkge
641/2 Mustang,Pre-World's Fair Car #8092
64 Fairlane S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang.Sunlit Gold 80,000 miles
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 892
Likes: 1
From: Duluth, MN
Thermostat removal
Ya, it's the thermostat housing...i realized what i said after i posted it but didn't feel like changing it. But no, mine isn't in theopen. It's right behind a mounting bracket for one of the pulleys. just under and to the left of the distributor. it's a bear to get out....then wheni put it back in, i couldn't fully tighten the bottom right bolt so it leaks VERY slowly into the littlecup like area just below it..i see it colecting there. Do u have any suggestions on tightening that last bolt without moving the distributor again?? I don't want to have to retime it. thanx...
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
Thermostat removal
Use an extension with a 1/2" u-joint socket.
Dennis https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&photoid=1733&.jpg
[i][font color=red]Calgary,Alberta,Canada[/font][i]
[font color=blue]Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions,
"I'm Saving My Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's" [font/]
78 F-150 429CJ,Silver, Explorer Pkg.
641/2-Mustang 260,Pre-World's Fair Car.
64-Fairlane500 S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang 289-Sunlit Gold 80,892Mi
78-Buick LeSabre 403 4V
84 Volvo DL Wagon
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 892
Likes: 1
From: Duluth, MN
Thermostat removal
Trust me..i've tried. If i remember correctly, i couldn't even fit the closed end of a Box end wrench in between the bolt head and the mounting bracket that was in my way. thats why i had to turn the distributor...and thats what i want to avoid. the wiring harness off the dist. was in my way. remember, it's the 302 efi. impossible housing!! dangit!! hahaha
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 258
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From: Allegan Michigan
Thermostat removal
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 16-Mar-02 AT 10:25 PM (EST)]If the box end of the wrench is to thick take it to the bench grinder and make it thinner then put that wrench in the drawer marked special wrenches that most people don't have. Been there done that.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 59
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Thermostat removal
Thanks for the tips. I finally got around to replacing it one weekend when the weather was nice. All it took was all day, some knuckle skin, a little blood, and a few choice words repeated over and over again. The new thermostat is in, no leaks so far. But my temp gauage is still reading low. Is this the same type of "gauge" that Ford tried to sneak by for oil pressure? Is there a quick fix, or am I better off installing an aftermarket one? I have already replaced the sending unit with no change in reading. Thanks for the help so far...
Kevin
Kevin
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
Thermostat removal
Hmmm !
Did you wrap the threads with teflon tape before installin it?
If so, take it off, it impedes the continuity of the grounding properties of the unit.
Use a conductive sealer instead.
Also, hopefully you have the sending unit for a gauge instead of an idiot light.
Dennis https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&photoid=1733&.jpg
[i][font color=red]Calgary,Alberta,Canada[/font][i]
[font color=blue]Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions,
"I'm Saving My Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's" [font/]
78 F-150 429CJ,Silver, Explorer Pkg.
641/2-Mustang 260,Pre-World's Fair Car.
64-Fairlane500 S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang 289-Sunlit Gold 80,892Mi
78-Buick LeSabre 403 4V
84 Volvo DL Wagon
Did you wrap the threads with teflon tape before installin it?
If so, take it off, it impedes the continuity of the grounding properties of the unit.
Use a conductive sealer instead.
Also, hopefully you have the sending unit for a gauge instead of an idiot light.
Dennis https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&photoid=1733&.jpg
[i][font color=red]Calgary,Alberta,Canada[/font][i]
[font color=blue]Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions,
"I'm Saving My Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's" [font/]
78 F-150 429CJ,Silver, Explorer Pkg.
641/2-Mustang 260,Pre-World's Fair Car.
64-Fairlane500 S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang 289-Sunlit Gold 80,892Mi
78-Buick LeSabre 403 4V
84 Volvo DL Wagon
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
Thermostat removal
No, it seems like teflon tape is smarter than me, I used some liquid thread lock (blue type). The sending unit is a direct replacement for the stock one, but if the stock temp gauge is an idiot light in disguise like the oil pressure gauge, then I guess I wasted a few bucks. I think I will put a "T" fiiting in and run a mechanical temp gauge. Or would getting a different sending unit make it work right?
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
Thermostat removal
That's entirely a personal choice.
Me, I like original first as long as it works.
Check the part Number & Get a gauge sending unit from the wreckers.
If it doesn't Then...........aftermarket
Dennis https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&photoid=1733&.jpg
[i][font color=red]Calgary,Alberta,Canada[/font][i]
[font color=blue]Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions,
"I'm Saving My Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's" [font/]
78 F-150 429CJ,Silver, Explorer Pkg.
641/2-Mustang 260,Pre-World's Fair Car.
64-Fairlane500 S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang 289-Sunlit Gold 80,892Mi
78-Buick LeSabre 403 4V
84 Volvo DL Wagon
Me, I like original first as long as it works.
Check the part Number & Get a gauge sending unit from the wreckers.
If it doesn't Then...........aftermarket
Dennis https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&photoid=1733&.jpg
[i][font color=red]Calgary,Alberta,Canada[/font][i]
[font color=blue]Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions,
"I'm Saving My Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's" [font/]
78 F-150 429CJ,Silver, Explorer Pkg.
641/2-Mustang 260,Pre-World's Fair Car.
64-Fairlane500 S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang 289-Sunlit Gold 80,892Mi
78-Buick LeSabre 403 4V
84 Volvo DL Wagon
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
From: Richmond USA
Thermostat removal
Hahaha, you guys have the SAME problems with the thermostat I did.. 302 EFI.. just changed it cuz I was running warm.. it wasn't the problem, so I've got a 160 degree thermostat in there, and I fixed the problem and the temp gauge never breaks C! So Ill have to change it again 
I'll wait for these damn cuts on my knuckles to heal first.. what I did was take the hoses off the throttle body, take the radiator hose off, and unplug the connector to the distributor, and stick my hands down in there from above and get it with a wrench.. BUT I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM! That bottom bolt WILL NOT go all the way in.. Im gonna have to fix that when I change it, but so far with the gasket maker it sealed it up good..
I'll wait for these damn cuts on my knuckles to heal first.. what I did was take the hoses off the throttle body, take the radiator hose off, and unplug the connector to the distributor, and stick my hands down in there from above and get it with a wrench.. BUT I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM! That bottom bolt WILL NOT go all the way in.. Im gonna have to fix that when I change it, but so far with the gasket maker it sealed it up good..