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Hawkeye
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5/09/2002
09:35:50

Subject: Out of action
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Looks like I'm donw for a day or two. Truck started overheating bad on the way home yesterday. Acted like the t-stat was bad and stuck closed. Stopped and picked up a new one on the way home. When I was taking the t-stat housing off, one bolt broke off partly still in the housing. Dealer is overnighting two new bolts, but I still have to spend today getting the stud out. If I cant get it out, and cant drill it out, I'll end up having to replaced the entire water pump assembly, which is basically the entire front of the motor. $$$$ and a PITA. Not a happy camper right now. Just venting here. Time to go get back started again.



Knobbyman
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5/09/2002
09:47:00

RE: Out of action
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LOL we switched ;-) Get it fixed. Don't try and be to much like me.

'01 Graphite QC 4x4
4.7 3.55 LSD
http://www.knobbyman.com
----Speed only breaks stuff faster----

Clevite 77
Dodge Dakota
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5/09/2002
10:24:57

RE: Out of action
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D@mn Hawkeye, you've really had some sh!tty luck lately, first the fender bender, now this...
I hate to jinks ya but don't they say, "bad things come in three"?????



Hawkeye
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5/09/2002
11:26:49

RE: Out of action
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Cant seem to get the stud out. Going to try one other thing shortly. If it doesnt work, then I will most likely have to drill the whole thing out, re-tap it one size larger, and then head to NAPA to get another bolt. I reallllly hope this works. I dont have the money to spend right now on the whole new front piece. This is also costing me a day at work. Simple little thing like changing the t-stat turns into this. Someone hates me.



Clevite 77
Dodge Dakota
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5/09/2002
11:34:29

RE: Out of action
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you might want to try an easy-out (ya know it's a reverse threaded thing that screws into the broken screw, and I think when it bottoms out it will put enough force to back it out) as you can tell I've never used one before but I'm sure good ol' NAPA will have a kit.

Good Luck man.....



Hawkeye
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5/09/2002
11:38:25

RE: Out of action
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Thats one other option I'm considering.



Dan Gruber
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5/09/2002
11:59:23

RE: Out of action
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Hope you get it back on the road soon. It suck being without a truck.

A related question though...isn't there a thermostat on the market that will fail only in the open position? I remember Crank & Chrome talking about it one day, but can't remember what kind it is.

Say it with Krylon!
Dan
2000 CC SLT 4.7 4X4 Auto 3.92 LSD
3 inch Performance Accesories lift & 32 inch BFG MT KM's

Hawkeye
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5/09/2002
12:04:00

RE: Out of action
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That would be cool. Havent seen one though.

I took the time to go ahead and change my spark plugs. Old ones were getting a little worn. They were gapped at .40 when I put them in, now they are at about .425 to .435. Were burning down at an angle on one side though, so the gap was probably a tad more. Had noticed that it wasnt quite as throaty lately as it had been when I first put them in. For $10, I can afford to change them every 7,000 miles or so. Back to the B@st@rd bolt.



Dan Gruber
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5/09/2002
12:04:46

RE: Out of action
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Here's what I was talking about.

http://www.indussys.com/customer/motorad/motorad.htm

Say it with Krylon!
Dan
2000 CC SLT 4.7 4X4 Auto 3.92 LSD
3 inch Performance Accesories lift & 32 inch BFG MT KM's

superbee
Dodge Dakota
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5/09/2002
12:18:47

RE: Out of action
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use an easy out, i love them things



farmer
Dodge Dakota
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5/09/2002
13:53:17

RE: Out of action
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A couple things. First off, try an easy out first for sure, then center punch and drill, you don't need to tap out one size bigger, the bolt will be softer than manifold(hopefully) so when you tap it it will clean out the old threads. As a safety note, try drilling a small hole in all your thermostats before you put them in. I think I usually use 16 inch or maybe a little bigger. It doens't noticably change warm up time, but it will save your ass enough not to blow your head gaskets or worse if it sticks closed. Learned that from an old mechanic, he does it to every thermo he installs



Hawkeye
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5/09/2002
15:32:03

RE: Out of action
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4.7's dont have the t-stat in the manifold. Its in the i piece ALUMINUM housing on the front of the motor. Thats the bad part. Its aluminum, so there is no cleaning out the threads.

Drilled into the bolt a a good bit, broke 3 drill bits, got the easyout in, and the freakin easyout broke the end off IN the bolt. Now its broke off in there as well. Looks like I will probably end up haveing to take that entire front piece off to be able to properly drill it out, as there is no room where it is to drill. Will definitely have to either use a helicoil or tap it. If I have to replace the entire piece, its will probably be $500 or better I am guessing. Its doesnt look too easy to get off either. This is not going to be a good weekend.



Knobbyman
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5/09/2002
15:37:06

RE: Out of action
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Damn dude.. that SUCKS.. Wish I was there to help I'm not sure what to do with my weekends now.

'01 Graphite QC 4x4
4.7 3.55 LSD
http://www.knobbyman.com
----Speed only breaks stuff faster----

BlackDak02
*GenIII*
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5/09/2002
16:01:43

RE: Out of action
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That sucks!

You can't drill into an EZ-out they're hardened steel. You might be able to take a centerpunch and try to pop the EZ-out in the reverse way that you were turning it when it snapped, try tapping it clockwise with a punch. Sometimes they will pop out this way.

If you have to take the water pump out maybe you can punch the EZ-out from behind if the bolt hole goes thru the faceplate.

Sorry I can't eyeball it so I can't help much, Hawk.

Good Luck!


2002 Black CC SLT 4x4
4.7L 45RFE 3.55 LSRD

Hawkeye
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5/10/2002
08:46:53

RE: Out of action
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Well, I was able to drill out the easyout. Decided the best course of action was to go ahead and drill the whole thing out. Went all the way out the back and will be just using a bolt with a nut on the end to replace the stock setup. No other choice really. Will be finishing it up when I get home today.



durtydog
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5/10/2002
20:47:28

RE: Out of action
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that sucks!i cant believe the easy out didnt work!
good luck

98 club cab sport 5.2 4x4 durtydog is done dirt cheap

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