thermostat install questions

[laramie7.3]

so,

here in laramie its ridicuously cold... and my thermostat failed, the engine operating temp just barely hovers above the L even after hours of driving, my heat still works, but the temp never raises and i think its affecting my fuel economy because the engine is working extra hard.

well after reading up about the install i'm nervous about snapping the heads off of the bolts, is this a valid fear or am i over thinking.
if it is valid is there anything i can do to reduce the risk of it happening?
i really dont have the time or space to put on a water pump and its flippin freezing outside.

thanks for your suggestions.

 

[DEEZUZ]

No its a very real issue, I've taken out several. I find, like anything else it helps if the engine is smoking hot. Yiu can soak in PA blaster or wd40 all day, but honestly it doesn't really reach where it's needed.

 

[laramie7.3]

No its a very real issue, I've taken out several. I find, like anything else it helps if the engine is smoking hot. Yiu can soak in PA blaster or wd40 all day, but honestly it doesn't really reach where it's needed.

well, being as the thermostat is broken and it wont heat up, could i use a heat gun???

 

[Tom S]

The worst case scenario is that you would ruin the water pump with broken bolts so not non-fixable matter.

I would suggest restricting the airflow across the radiator as well to build more heat in the motor. If it is crazy cold and the load is light it can be hard to get the truck fully warm which is not a good thing.

 

[alradco]

Have you tried blocking the radiator to kill airflow? Should be able to get the temp up that way or is it that cold?

 

[laramie7.3]

Have you tried blocking the radiator to kill airflow? Should be able to get the temp up that way or is it that cold?

yeah i tried blocking it with cardboard. i know the worst case scenario is removing water pump and getting it drilled out or just getting a new one, but with these temps and no shop currently to work on it in a four hour water pump job doesn't sound exactly appealing...

 

[dustinz85]

Have a propane mini torch? If you don't already have one one there invest in the billet ring or a complete billet housing while it is out. Replaced mine and couldn't get the stock stamped metal housing to seal again..

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[CSIPSD]

My wifes Excursions T-stat broke a month or so ago, would not warm up past 120*... Could not get the cab heated up, white smoke all the time and overall just not fun to drive.

I would suggest getting the billet T-stat housing from No Limit or RiffRaff and a new T-stat... There not hard to change out, I've never broken a bolt, I've stripped a few but thats just an easyout deal.