You don't have to remove anything from the engine. There's a tab on the
T'stat housing that you can cut off (or grind off). Once this tab is
removed, you'll be surprised how easy it is to slip the T'stat housing back
down.
BTW: You can use a Robert Shaw "370-180 T'Stat.
Here's the instructions that I wrote for the V6:
Installation of the Thermostat is fairly straightforward.
(a) Drain the Radiator by using the drain-plug located on the Driver's Side
bottom of the Radiator. (You need to move a small section of the plastic
cover underneath to get to this easily.) Turn the plug Counter Clockwise
and pull on it a little.I've noticed that some of the Dakota's don't drain
properly until you pull it out a little bit. Once you've drained some fluid
out of the radiator (about ? Gallon), turn the plug Clockwise to close it.
(b) Remove the two 13mm Thermostat Bolts (follow the upper radiator hose
onto the engine).
(c) Lift the Radiator hose (with the T'Stat housing) up and remove the old
thermostat.
(d) Clean up and gasket material on the engine block as well as on the T'
Stat housing.
** Installation Tip: There is a tab on the housing that you can grind off
which allows for an easier reinstallation **
(e) Install the new Thermostat, put a small layer of Gasket Sealer (Blue RTV
Preferred) around the edges, place the gasket on top, and allow to "Tack"
for about 5 minutes. (This way the gasket won't slip too much.)
(f) Put a light layer of Gasket Sealer around the housing and put the two
bolts back on and slide it down while using the bolts to line it up. (This
is why I removed the tab.)
Torque the bolts to 20Ft.Lbs and add a mixture of 70% Water and 30% Coolant.
(While you're at it, check the coolant reservoir next to the Radiator.)
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-dakota-truck@buffnet.net
[mailto:owner-dakota-truck@buffnet.net]On Behalf Of FalRan66@aol.com
Sent: Tuesday, April 11, 2000 6:38 AM
To: dakota-truck@buffnet.net
Subject: Re: DML: Installing 180 degree Thermostat
Ya, one thing is that make sure the two bolt holes when u remove the housing
and clean off the old gasket is clean inside. i scraped off the old stuff
and
some fell into the holes and when i put the gasket down line it all up and
start to tighten the bolts start to hang up, i thought i was crossthreading
but I just cleaned the treads out with a tap. other than that there is a
cross brase goin from the manifolt to i thing the alt or the ac pump. get
that outta the way just to make life easer.
Joe
92 5.2 3.55sg
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Fri Jun 20 2003 - 11:50:40 EDT