Today I thought I would put the original temp thermostat back in my truck. What a pig of a job. After fighting with 3 bolts I couldn't see or touch the 4th. Looks like a radiator out or engine out job. Not impressed at all, especially when 1 bolt is so close to the housing you can't get a ring spanner or a socket on it. That was a half day wasted!! The F@!#er can stay in there and freeze it's ass off. Thermostat is fine....nothing to see here...move along. NO I DON"T HAVE ANGER MANAGEMENT ISSUES!!!!
What I'd suggest: Change your camshaft as it makes changing a thermostat seem super-easy, by comparison. And NO, I haven't forgotten about the U/D pulley. Unfortunately, there is a breakdown in the supply-chain. There seems to be a lot of that going around...
I did mine a couple weeks ago. the is one bolt that had to be done with an open ended wrench, and it was a pain in the ass. the rest I did with the box end of a wrench. Took me about an hour but I got it.
Do you know where New Zealand is??? I can tell you that there's a fair bit of swimming involved and then a fair bit of driving to get to SC
I have actually been down your way when I served in the Corps. But yeah, that's a bit far to travel to change a thermostat.
I'm sure Kiwi is willing to spring for plane ticket, per Diem, and free food and transport. What ya say Kiwi? Oh, and one vet to another, thank you for your service Barbarian!