2.3 thermostat housing removal

[beateranger]

whats the trick to getting the left bolt off of the thermostat housing on a 94 2.3 engine? a socket wont fit and the bolt is at an angle where i cant even get a wrench on it. thanks

 

[Mforrest327]

If its the same as my '92, then the only prob I had was the bolt on the right, thats next to the timing belt cover. and by the socket not fitting, you mean different size? or cant get it in there? I had two different size bolts on mine. 2 of one and 1 of a little bigger.

 

[beateranger]

I guess yours is not the same as mine then...the left bolt is my problem...the bracket that holds the alternator on has a tiny piece of metal on top of it that prevents getting a socket on the bolt....it is within 1/16" from the bolt, so a socket is too thick to get on the bolt to get it off

 

[PlumCrazy]

I guess yours is not the same as mine then...the left bolt is my problem...the bracket that holds the alternator on has a tiny piece of metal on top of it that prevents getting a socket on the bolt....it is within 1/16" from the bolt, so a socket is too thick to get on the bolt to get it off

What brand of socket are you using? The cheaper brands have thicker side walls and tend to cause issues in tight spaces. I never had an issue when I did it on my 94 or 96. I use my old (better quality) 6-point Craftsman set for damn near everything.

 

[beateranger]

ive tried a craftsman, kobalt and a stanley...none of them fit

 

[budro]

Go to a pawn shop and buy a used socket. Grind down the lower portion on the outside to fit. Done that many times on hard to reach fasteners.

 

[trail B2]

Don't know your position or the truck but deep well sockets are thinner walled than regular sockets.

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

pictures?

 

[wiesket]

Beateranger, I ran into that problem and if your setup is the same as mine I ground off part of the bracket that holds the alternator and is bolted to the engine. Just the corner and it took care of the accessibility problem, and it made it easier to remove the thermostat housing.

 

[Bryan22]

if you're trying to use 3/8 in drive try 1/4 in. drive. I've never had a problem getting those blots out.