Thermostat re-install

[spiderman1]

This might seem like a dumb question but I ust finished timing belt and water pump replacement along with a new thermostat.
Is it possible to hook it up to the hoses backwards? I can't find a really good picture in my manual and I want to be sure I have it on right. I did take it around the block and it seems to be getting hot. My dash is partially out so the temp gage isn't telling me anything-I guess if the fan doesn't come on then the thermostat might not be right?If you have an accurate installed pic on an 82 that would be awesome.

Either way its really cool to have accomplished the timing belt replacement-Still enough good days to drive in NC and enjoy the top down.

[81SPIDERMATT]

i can grab a pic later (5 ish mountain time ) headed out to work now ..... it is more likely that the thermostat itself is clocked wrong than the hoses to be wrong ... if something is wrong at all ..... could just be air in the system .... I know they don't like any air in the system a nd heat up quickly if you did not get it all out ..... the fan coming on or not coming on could be a separate issue from the thermostat ... but we can help figure that out to .... congrats on the timing belt job .... it is quite a satisfying task to complete for sure ... Matt

[RRoller123]

The flange goes to the bottom of the radiator, and the stub that comes out the side of the t-stat at right angles goes over to the water pump.

[spiderman1]

Thanks everyone-it has to be air in the system everything else seems right.

[RRoller123]

If you don't have a bleeder "T" in the hose that comes off of the top rear of the head, then a sure fire way to get rid off the air is to jack the car way up high in front, (set the hand brake firmly) so that the brass plug in the coolant T union at the front of the engine is the highest cooling system point, open the heater valve fully, remove this brass plug, and top up the system from there. You may have to squeeze the various cooling system hoses to get the air to move to the top of the system. "Burping" is an appropriate name for the process. Many forum members drill a small hole (~ 1-8") through the baffle plate inside the thermostat, to allow the air trapped below it (in the bottom radiator hose, and thus radiator bottom) to rise and be replaced by new added coolant, but since you have assembled the whole system, let's see if we can help you without having to drain the system and remove the T-Stat.

[81SPIDERMATT]

yeah I drilled the thermostat hole ... I found it helpful ... also the plenum heater(if you have one) is a great place to top of the water .... burping the hoses is a great idea too .... obviously did not post the pic because roller diagram is better than any pic I could have taken ... let us know how it works out ... Matt

[KevAndAndi]

yeah I drilled the thermostat hole ... I found it helpful ... also the plenum heater(if you have one) is a great place to top of the water .... burping the hoses is a great idea too .... obviously did not post the pic because roller diagram is better than any pic I could have taken ... let us know how it works out ... Matt

When I removed my thermostat, I was surprised to find that the plate inside doesn't quite close completely - a feature, not a bug! Therefore, I surmised that I wouldn't need to drill a hole in it. In addition to the coolant T, I installed Mark's throttle body heater plate that has a bleed screw. With these three aids, getting the air out is not a problem.

[spiderman1]

Thanks to everyone-It finally burped-not sure why exactly because I think I tried all the suggestions-but its working. Now on to my blown turn signal fuse!!