T-stat housing bolt help

D

Dtowncats

New Member

Jun 2, 2003

340

0

0

York, PA

May 9, 2006

#1

• May 9, 2006

• #1

I am doing a timing chain cover gasket and in the process of putting everything back together. I am having trouble getting to the bottom bolt with a wrench. The plug for the distributor and the top water pump bolt is in the way. Is there a way to move the distributor out of the way because I don't want to have to take off the accessory bracket? Or would it just be better to take the acc. bracket off? Thanks

 

Blk91stang

Member

Jan 3, 2003

607

0

16

North Brunswick, NJ

May 9, 2006

#2

• May 9, 2006

• #2

It's a tight fit but I was always able to get a wrench down there and turn it 1/16 at a time. Yes it takes a while but only a couple minutes. Also try a socket and universal.

 

2000xp8

SN Certified Technician

Aug 8, 2003

8,015

1,613

194

NJ

May 9, 2006

#3

• May 9, 2006

• #3

You can mark the distriuber and turn it a bit, then move it back. Just be careful you put it back in the same place.

 

S

Sicarius428

Active Member

Jan 6, 2004

2,085

5

49

May 9, 2006

#4

• May 9, 2006

• #4

I cheated and used arp 12 point bolts so its easy to get lined up without moving too much.
Kevin

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

31,179

33

129

May 9, 2006

#5

• May 9, 2006

• #5

Along the lines of what Kevin did, it seems like an allen head bolt would work well in that location too.

I also remove it 1/64th of a turn at a time with a box end. I cant remember if a ratcheting-box-end helped or not.

Good luck.

 

boomr

Member

Oct 18, 2003

51

0

7

WA

May 9, 2006

#6

• May 9, 2006

• #6

I would tighten the bolt finger tight with needle nose pliers. There is a raised edge on the bolt, around the outer edge, I could grip that with the needle nose pliers and snug up the bolt and than use a 1/4" drive universal and appropriate socket. This procedure always worked pretty good for me.

 

sunil6784

Member

Mar 31, 2005

620

0

18

Boston, MA

May 9, 2006

#7

• May 9, 2006

• #7

I took a real old 1/2" wrench and cut it with a dremel tool. It was a lot easier to tighten with a shorter wrench.

 

rd

Founding Member

Jan 12, 2000

3,316

63

109

Ocean Springs MS

May 9, 2006

#8

• May 9, 2006

• #8

I put allen head bolts on the thermostat housing, and use a ball end allen wrench to turn them.

Otherwise, set the engine up at TDC no 1 and just pull the dist, and put it back in later. Mark the dist location first. This should get it running and you can time it later if needed.