Thermostat housing removal

Post by **COMMERCIALMAN** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 4:44 pm

Hi All, Im having trouble removing the thermostat housing on my Morris . I had no problem removing the nuts from the studs. I know this is a common problem so would appreciate any solutions.
Best Wishes
Jason

Post by **PSL184** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 4:50 pm

Plus Gas, Duck oil, WD40 etc if you are lucky but if its well and truly stuck you have to smash it off with hammer and chisel and replace with a new one... Just don't damage the studs cause they also sieze and you will end up having to drill them out and re tap.

Post by **callyspoy** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 7:10 pm

re tap the studs, don't be daft, who'd ever have to do that...

Post by **PSL184** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 7:19 pm

Think we've all been there some time or other

Post by **COMMERCIALMAN** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 7:36 pm

Ive sprayed lots of WD40 on it tonight and will try tomorrow. Hammer and chisel sounds scary but will give it ago if all else fails.

Post by **Luxobarge** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 7:44 pm

Post by **grumpygrandad** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 7:50 pm

heat it up cool it fast.,grandad

Post by **rayofleamington** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 8:12 pm

Just don't damage the studs cause they also sieze and you will end up having to drill them out and re tap.

if the studs shear off at the block, you just need a MIG welder and a big nut...

Post by **bmcecosse** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 8:43 pm

Best to apply HEAT (and lots of it) to the housing - and then try to get it off by carefully levering/wiggling it about. But (as said above) unfortunately it's highly likely it will break - or you will have to smash it. Do your best to avoid damaging the cylinder head in the area where the housing seals ! The steel studs react with the aluminium housing. Hopefully the studs will survive if you sacrifise the housing. When refitting - it's a good idea to run a drill bit down the stud holes and enlarge them very slightly - and smear the studs with grease before refitting the housing. Obviously you are at least going to need a new gasket!

Post by **alex_holden** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 10:52 pm

rayofleamington wrote:if the studs shear off at the block, you just need a MIG welder and a big nut...

I tried that with no success. I think I accidentally welded the remains of the stud to the head.

Post by **Onne** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 11:43 pm

Mine just came of...

I'll go now

Post by **M25VAN** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 6:41 am

Try and fit a Brass housing as a replacement to avoid such problems in the future.

Post by **rayofleamington** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 9:33 am

I tried that with no success. I think I accidentally welded the remains of the stud to the head.

I tend to use my 130A mig on max, and it's always worked although sometimes needs a few attempts if the weld doesn't take straongly enough to the stud. I've done it on heads, blocks, body fittings, rounded nuts and some other things I won't mention. Maybe I'll give you a tutorial next time your round ;-)

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 10:43 am

I have to ask M25van - although I have no intention of doing so - where does one get this brass housing ??

Post by **M25VAN** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 12:20 pm

Minor Developments is where I bought mine from for about £8 but I noticed them here...
http://www.mgm-spares.co.uk/pricelist.asp
for only 55p more than the alloy ones.
I changed over after noticing a brand new alloy housing badly corroding after only 6 months.

Surprised they are not more popular......

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 12:35 pm

Well - indeed if they are available could be a way forward!

Post by **jaekl** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 1:51 pm

Since the cover was trashed anyway, I sawed it off. Cut the ears off along the inside of the studs. Then removed the studs with the corroded remains of the housing.

Post by **Kevin** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 3:16 pm

Those brass housings have not been available for a few years so its nice to know they are around again.
I agree with Roy as the housing is a known issue I do the same and open the hole up with the next size drill so that its a slide fit rather than a wiggle fit so to speak and then I use copper grease.
I wonder if anyone on here has used the stainless nuts and bolts with any sucsess although they are pricy.

Post by **alainmoran** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 3:27 pm

Surely stainless would make the problem worse ... in my experience it's the electrochemical reaction between the white-metal housing and the steel studs that creates 'fur' up the inside and jams it in place.

My solution in the past has generally involved a cold-chisel, a lump hammer and a 'new' housing :s

I like the sound of the brass housing though, if only because it would look 'cool'

Post by **IslipMinor** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 3:41 pm

Open the holes up to at least 11/32" (8.7mm) diameter, clean the studs and re-assemble with plenty of grease on the studs. Lasts for years!