15 and 6 months for permit
16 and 6 months for licences
I have a 94 MK8. I can't guarantee it, but it is probabally the same on a 97. The thermostat is located on the driver's side of the engine compartment towards the bottom of the engine, almost in line with the pulleys. There are about three or four hoses which run into a metal junction. The thermostst is inside of that junction. You must remove all of the hoses to get it out. It is a huge pain to get to if the car is not jacked up and even then there is not much space to work. good luck. NAPA had the thermostat specified by lincoln.
Get a job
But, the jobs you can do isn't going to make a lot of money just to warn you.