OK, I've got this shiny new Mugen thermostat and since I had the car at the dealer today I figured I would give their crack mechaninc a chance to install it.

After an entire day sittin' there, the tech calls me and says everything is done except the thermostat. He tells me it's a two day job requiring the removal of the alternator, the air box, and the intake manifold. Of course the Helms manual says practically nada.

Now I've heard stories of people ripping their hands and arms to hell trying replace this thing but I didn't know major surgery was necessary on the car as well.

What exactly is required tool-wise and other than snaking some anorexic arms up into a very small cranny is there anything I should be yanking out before I go for the thermostat cover.

 

When I read this I thought....right a thermostat....I had more respect for you then this Greg. I dutifully opened my Helm Manual (page 10-12) and thought OK a pair of plyers and a socket. Big deal just like every other car I've owned. The I went to check out the geography on the car itself.....oh F***! It is buried way down under, and yes you have to remove the items noted and more! I would say two days is a fair estimate, and my faith in you is hereby restored. Looks like one bitch of a job to get it in......

 

What bullshit.. as I posted in December..

[QUOTE]Originally posted by cdelena
[B]

You attack it from the bottom. I worked from far back with my head next to the transmission. I accessed the lower bolt from forward of the motor mount and the upper from behind. Worked with one hand forward and one behind the motor mount.

I

 

Cdelena did it in 2hrs, without removing anything. King also installs it without removing anything. Here is one thread on the subject from last week:
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...ight=thermostat

 

Thanks guys. As someone who almost always searches before asking I was just a little torqued by his answer and let the adrenaline get the best of me.

Mucho appreciated!

 

This is WAY easier when the head is already off of your car as mine was, so just remove the head

 

Thanks especially to cdelena for the info. I would have eventually searched for this (once I saw what it looked like from topside) and this thread has saved me the trouble.