Thermostat housing

[my1stmarkVII]

Looking for advice on replacing thermostat housing.
The bottom bolt is a real bear.
1986 mark vii
is there a special wrench?

 

[NYC LS8]

No special wrench needed. Do you have a "tab" on the water pump blocking the bolt on the right side of the housing? If so, grind that tab down with a dremel or something and you shouldn't have any problems.

 

[LuxurySportCoupe]

Move the distributor out of the way. Its pretty easy, i did one in about 30 minutes a few days ago. A 1/2 angled ratchet wrench does wonders in this situation.

 

[my1stmarkVII]

Thanks

I got three good ideas, thanks again guys your the best. I am going to try old schools idea fisrt, (replacing the bolts with alan type bolts). I don't really want to mess with the dist. I'm Not that mechanically inclined.

 

[my1stmarkVII]

Hope It Don't Leak

Well the alan bolt did not do the job, but moving the distributor over about an inch gave me the clearance I needed to get to the bottom bolt. Now just waiting for the silicone to dry. Hoping I got the dist back in its right spot. Welcome to the wonderful world of fords.

 

[Lincolnlov]

Well the alan bolt did not do the job, but moving the distributor over about an inch gave me the clearance I needed to get to the bottom bolt. Now just waiting for the silicone to dry. Hoping I got the dist back in its right spot. Welcome to the wonderful world of fords.

my1stmarkVII,
There are shortie sockets on a swivel (just 3/8 inch depth). That's how I was able to get mine off. Sorry I didn't see this message till too late.
Lincolnlov

 

[my1stmarkVII]

Job Done

By moving the dist. it gave plenty of room to reach the bottom bolt with a closed end 1/2 wrench. No leaks! make sure to mark the spot of the dist. as to get it back to where it was. I got lucky 2 turns on the bolt and it moved like butter. Thanks for all the feed back.

 

[LuxurySportCoupe]

Nice.