replacing thermostat?

[ncsdaonex]

i have a 1990 4 cylinder 2.3L 2wd 5 speed, i took out my thermostat because the thermostat would not open and my motor got real hot. so i am running on no thermostat right now, i am replacing it this saturday, are there any tricks to putting it in or is it just as simple as popping it in the water outlet and bolting the water outlet to the engine?

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

make sure you dont put it in upside down. thats a pretty common mistake. the spring goes toward the engine, not toward the radiator.

 

[scotts90ranger]

that and remove all of the old gasket and the old rubber sealing ring, I had one cock sideways and didn't work very well...