How do you change the thermostat on a 1981 Corvette?

Answer 1

First you have to remove the air filter housing. Start by removing the butterfly bolt holding the cap in place. Once that is removed, the only thing holding the air filter housing in place are the hoses and tubes attached to it. Make sure you note where each hose and tube was attached so you can put it back into place afterward.

With the air filter housing out of the way, you're looking straight into the carburetor. Incidentally, now may be a good time to replace the fuel filter located on the passenger side of the carburetor. The thermostat housing is located directly in front of the carburetor. The upper radiator hose connects to the engine by way of the thermostat housing. You'll find two bolts holding the housing in place. You just need to unbolt it from the engine and perhaps knock it free with a light hammering. Make sure you have either drained the coolant or you have some way to catch the coolant at this stage because it will be leaking.

Once the thermostat housing is lifted, all you need to do is grab the thermostat and lift it out. It may be slightly stuck but will just pull up. Make sure you scrape away the old gasket from the engine and from the thermostat housing. Replace with a new gasket and a new thermostat making sure it's oriented in the same as the one you pulled out. Place a small amount of grease on the new gasket to hold it in place and to form a better seal.

Now all you need to do is put everything back together and refill your engine coolant.