Just in case someone else needs to do this...
I was having an overcooling problem which indicated that I needed a thermostat replacement.
It wasn't the easiest job due to the location on this engine, but I'm pretty confident it went correctly.
Using the tips from this board, I removed the mid unit cover, and was able to slowly remove the lower screws with a 7/16 box wrench. The top screw was done with a 7/16 socket and universal attached to a 6" 1/4" drive extension.
I had the thermostat replacement kit from iboats which included 2 thermostats, gaskets, relief valves, and springs.
I tried both the rubber band and twist tie methods of keeping the parts together for the install, but neither really worked great for me. I found that getting the gasket on the housing over the thermostats kept them in place with a little help from the sticky gasket compound and having the lower screws in place kept the gasket from shifting around while I snaked the unit into position. Once the unit was somewhat lined up I reached up from underneath to get the relief valves and springs in place. Then I used a couple of shims to push the cover/housing unit up against the head to let me get a couple of turns on the screws to hold it together until I could get the wrench/socket in there.
Fired up on muffs and after a few mins the temp went to 120 and stayed there. Couldn't get out on the lake because of the wind/rain on Sunday, and now I won't get out for a couple of weeks due to work schedule but hope to get a good test in on the 30th and go fishing.
I was having an overcooling problem which indicated that I needed a thermostat replacement.
It wasn't the easiest job due to the location on this engine, but I'm pretty confident it went correctly.
Using the tips from this board, I removed the mid unit cover, and was able to slowly remove the lower screws with a 7/16 box wrench. The top screw was done with a 7/16 socket and universal attached to a 6" 1/4" drive extension.
I had the thermostat replacement kit from iboats which included 2 thermostats, gaskets, relief valves, and springs.
I tried both the rubber band and twist tie methods of keeping the parts together for the install, but neither really worked great for me. I found that getting the gasket on the housing over the thermostats kept them in place with a little help from the sticky gasket compound and having the lower screws in place kept the gasket from shifting around while I snaked the unit into position. Once the unit was somewhat lined up I reached up from underneath to get the relief valves and springs in place. Then I used a couple of shims to push the cover/housing unit up against the head to let me get a couple of turns on the screws to hold it together until I could get the wrench/socket in there.
Fired up on muffs and after a few mins the temp went to 120 and stayed there. Couldn't get out on the lake because of the wind/rain on Sunday, and now I won't get out for a couple of weeks due to work schedule but hope to get a good test in on the 30th and go fishing.