installing the thermostat

[s'good]

Mt 93 ATX was running high tonight. I checked the coolant, but it had not been circulating. Does this indicate a thermostat problem? Is the thermostat easy to replace? ( you can tell I haven't done much work on the engine. I've had the car a year and it has run like a dream , so I was freaked when it looked like it was going to overheat.}

 

[sdpatt]

First of all - don't ever allow the engine to overheat. You will risk great problems with the aluminum heads. The thermostat should be replaced with the 194 degree Motorcraft RT-1112 for your ATX (the MTX SHOs use the 180 degree version). You can access the thermostat housing by draining about a gallon of coolant from the radiator petcock on the driver side end tank, removing the air box filter lid and intake hose from the throttle body and removing the two, 10mm nuts from the metal thermostat housing on the engine end of the upper radiator hose. The rubber seal comes with the Motorcraft thermostat and is the only seal you will need - no silicone or gasket material between the metal casings. Be sure to install the thermostat with the jiggle valves on the top and do not overtorque the nuts.

 

[Darkside]

Yeah what he said. You should only have to move the clamp on the TB hose back about an inch, to give you enough clearance. I'm a ***** and I was able to replace it in about 20 minutes.

 

[s'good]

Thanks all for your help on the thermostat etc. Being pretty green, I am learning a lot, ( via my son, who is actually doing the work!). This is such an incredible car, I am so glad you are all out there loving it too.