At this time my life is pretty good. Everything (well ALMOST everything!), is as it should be.

I just have ONE wish! I would like to be walking in a dark alley somewhere, and run into the sadistic ba$tard genius, that decided where to place the thermostat on 2002 V6!! At least when my knuckles would be stripped/bleeding, I'd have some satisfaction seeing his f-upped face!

try doing that stuff for a living

jamesmartin said:

try doing that stuff for a living

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If I would be younger, I wouldn't mind doing it for living at all! I haven't checked myself, but was told that the local dealer wants $1600 to do this!? I could do one a week, and make pretty decent living. And once you figure how it all comes out (and have proper tools ready), you can do it in 2-3 hours max. Not a bad way of making living.

Now I have to wait to button it up, because both intake gaskets were shot, and I broke the plastic elbow pipe, trying to get it out (it was paper thin and WORN!). Ordered the new stuff, and it will be here on Thursday. I also discovered that some MORON put some "stop leak" crap in the system, so I'm looking at changing the water pump in the future too, and maybe the rad and the heater matrix!

Certain cars should be available for purchase ONLY after the prospective owner passes the IQ test.

it was meant as i know how you feel

and i wouldnt worry too much about stop leak

While you've got it open, why not put in an alloy thermostat housing?

bukko said:

While you've got it open, why not put in an alloy thermostat housing?

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Was thinking about it. Mainly the cost, and how the vehicle will be used. This engine went 96K on the original thremostat, and wife will not be able to put anything close to that mileage on it (she drives 50 miles a week). Since I have NO IDEA when this engine will go "bang", I decided to put the stock thermostat in, and drive it to the ground (the engine, not the car!). This engine is "temporary". I have a spare engine/tranny/IRD waiting (working on rebuilding the heads and the valve train as we speak). So when this engine goes, the rebuild will go in. And that one WILL have all the goodies!

This thermostat was cheap, my labor is "free",.....you get the picture.

the first time I did the thermostat on the 1800 petrol for the wife I felt like that fancy putting it on the back of the engine, STUPID or what!