Whitaker717

I got a new thermostat coming but this was my temperature yesterday after driving 30 minutes. It was 6 degrees outside.

Hi guys, I am going to attempt replacing my thermostat on my 87 this weekend and need a bit of guidance. I know how to get the housing off and all that fun stuff but basically refilling all the coolant makes me a bit nervous. Does anyone have any tips or videos on how to refill it without getting a bunch of air in it! Also how much coolant does it require? I have recieved a few tips but still have a bit uncertainty doing it. Is there a video anywhere? Thanks guys

Is the 205 thermostat overkill for these trucks or should I use one of those.

How much coolant do you use Pete?

Is there a video or tutorial Pete somewhere that shows how to do it? I will try it when it gets a bit warmer. Do people fill from that small tube usually or just pour in the bottle?

That would be a whole other issue for me. Burping a closed system. Lol. I’ve seen it done but never tried it. Seems like people jack the back up really high. Not sure that’s the correct way or not

I appreciate it. I will tackle it when it gets a bit warmer. Lol.

Any t stat reccomendations?

Any good recommendations for a 195 degree thermostat or higher?

Central Illinois

It’s actually less than 170. It’s only 4 degrees this morning. It has the closed system so there is no radiator cap per se. The thermostat has also been replaced in the last 2 years although I still feel it’s not quite functioning correctly. I’d like to get a 200 to 205 thermostat. Someone else said something about the cardboard too. I may just try that. On my drive this morning , I barely made it to 150 I bet. It’s really cold here though. My heater core is brand new too so I would think the heat should cook me out of that little truck but it never does.

This is my second engine in the truck and the head gasket has been replaced in say the last 2 years. I do wonder about a cracked head somewhere though. With this truck it’s really hard telling what it may be. I was going to do the compression test when it gets a bit warmer. With all the work I have had done to it, I am just stumped. When it’s cold like this I can barely get up to 170. Of course it’s almost below zero where I am.

Yes

Yeah I’m heading that way Pete.

The white steam stops about a block down the road. I just did my oil change and cleaned both hoses of the ccv system. They had that white junk in them but not bad. If it’s leaking coolant in there how do you stop it?

I do seem to lose some coolant somehow. Although I can’t tell where it’s going. Oil consumption doesn’t seem too bad but I’m guessing down maybe a quart over a 3k mile oil change. I do have a catalytic converter, new in the last 2 years. I have a lot of white steam out the exhaust pipe and quite a bit of condensation along with it.

Ok guys I’m at a crossroads with my truck. Been trying to de ide go sell it or keep sinking money into it. I have a 168K miles on my second engine. This is what my air filter looks like. When I pulled it out it was soaked with oil and water or condensation to the point it was dripping water. I didn’t see any coolant though. I pulled the rear ccv hose and cleaned it and I put my finger over the I'm and have great suction. I have not done the compression test yet, but that’s next. I have also done cruisers valve cover mod and it still happens. On a side note,it smells like really bad exhaust. Maybe that’s normal I’m not sure. Compression test aside, does it seem like I am headed towards a rebuild? I know the test will give me the definitive results I believe but I’m not sure I want to spend the money on a rebuild. Thanks guys.

If I still have it by then, send me some pictures. As long as they all match and are not all rusty or broke. Thanks

Thanks Gary but I am holding out hope of finding some.

Any idea where I can get some? Lol.

Are the AMC ones my only option?

Title says it all, I am still looking for the elusive AMC tan bench seat seatbelts. Or any tan bench seat seatbelts for that matter. Including any recommendations. Let me know if anyone has any. Thanks

Thank you Eagle_SX4! I got my new switch today and with your instructions I was able to get it working correctly. I was trying to directly bolt it to the brake pedal. Like putting the switch on the actual pedal. Took me a minute to realize it actually staggers the booster rod and bolts to the pedal. Whoever installed my cruise had the switch on wrong. It is working like a champ now. Thanks again man!!

Are those that hard to install? I could hardly get the bolt holes to line up with the switch without basically compressing that spring.

I did. I managed to break it 🤦🏻‍♂️ I have another on order. What a pain in the neck.