Thermostat mounting parts
1. Upper radiator hose; 2. Thermostat housing; 3. Gasket; 4. Thermostat
Caution: The engine must be completely cool before beginning this procedure. Before working near the fan, be sure to disconnect the negative battery cable.
1. See Warning to Chapter 2.
2. Disconnect the negative battery cable (if it hasn't already been done).
3. Remove the distributor (Section 5) to gain access to the thermostat housing.
4. Drain some fluid from the cooling system so that the fluid level is below the thermostat. To do this, loosen the radiator cap and open the drain hole located at its bottom. Close the hole when enough liquid has drained.
5. Disconnect the upper radiator hose from the engine pipe.
6. Disconnect the fan thermal switch connector.
7. Remove the two nuts and separate the thermostat housing from the engine. You may need to use a mallet to pry the housing gasket loose (photo).
Loosen the thermostat housing gasket with a mallet
8. Remove the thermostat from the housing (photo).
When removing the thermostat, note its correct orientation
9. Before installing the thermostat, clean the contact surfaces of the nozzle and thermostat housing with the gasket.
10. Apply a thin layer of sealant to both sides of the new gasket.
11. Place the thermostat in the housing, install the gasket with the side with the mark towards the thermostat and install the pipe. Tighten the bolts to the specified tightening torque Specifications.
12. Connect the upper radiator hose and tighten the hose clamp securely. Make sure the arrow on the hose is aligned with the key on the casing (photo).
Make sure the arrow on the radiator hose is aligned with the key on the shroud
13. Connect the thermal switch connector.
[The original article is on: Mazbook]
14. Install the distributor.
15. Fill the cooling system with the proper antifreeze-water mixture (see Section 1).
16. Connect the battery cable and start the engine.
17. Run the engine with the radiator cap removed until the upper radiator hose becomes hot, which will happen when the thermostat opens.
18. With the engine idling, add coolant to the radiator until the level reaches the base of the filler neck.
19. Install the radiator cap.