Thread: question on when replacing the LIM or what size tap bit for t-stat housing?

When changing the LIM, is it best to drain the coolant from the radiator or wherever is needed first, then after the LIM is done do an oil change? Also is it best to get another LIM gasket set installed? Im using the aluminum LIM, but aside from the orange rubber gasket that would need replaced what about the aluminum pieces?

right now one of my thermostat bolts, the left side, the inner threads are stripped/warped. i need to either get another LIM or get a tap bit and retap the threads in there but dont know which to use. anyone have a spare t-stat bolt that also has a tap set that can tell me what i should use? right now im leaking a bit of coolant and currently applied some black rtv to hold it in but its bene slowly leaking lately. thanks in advance!!

When I do LIM gasket replacements, I will unscrew the front knock sensor, which is located just above the starter screwed into the block, and that will FULLY drain the coolant out of the engine so you can pull the LIM.

Even with the block drained, the LIM will still hold some coolant, so when you pull it off, keep it as level as you can to avoid unwanted spills, and yes...I always do a oil change right away after doing a LIM gasket change regardless of how careful you are.

As for the job at hand, the kits will come with the two main gaskets, and the two that run on the front and back of the block. Once everything is removed, and the old gasket areas are VERY clean, and degreased well, i will put RTV on the top, and on the bottom of the two short pieces that run on either end of the block to insure a good seal. You also want to put RTV in the very corners where the gaskets from the heads meet these short ones.

Your bolts for the T-stat housing are M8x1.25.

~F~

thanks for the advice and help and info :-)

Not a problem, hit a snag, or have an issue come up, post on up. Large number of us have done these on many cars, and can help ya out with any problems that might pop up.

Fair warning on the LIM...its VERY soft aluminum. Pop-tin molded aluminum, meaning its some really light weight, cheap as ****. So its easy to make that broken or stripped out bolt worse very fast. The LIM can be repaired, unless you don't want to jack with it, or pay somebody to fix it...always possible to replace it with a good used one. They usually cost only $25.00 each with shipping.

~F~