Not everyone will want to do this, but if you want to make removing and reinstalling the top bolt of the thermostat easier, drill a hole in the fenderwell. After lots of you-tube watching and hours of reading about the thermostat I decided I was going to tackle this unfriendly job myself. Somewhere in my reading, someone who had done the job said he should have just cut a hole in his fenderwell. So, after removing the plastic fender lining, I drilled a pilot hole where I thought I would have a straight shot at the top bolt. I was too far left and the socket extension was hitting on something, maybe the back of the alternator. So I drilled a little farther to the right. After drilling the pilot hole, I used one of those pyramid looking drill bits that lets you keep on making a bigger hole without changing bits. I made it big enough for my 3/8" extensions to go through. I still had to use a jointed socket but it was at a much better and easier angle to get to the top bolt. And to make it even better, the first hole I drilled that didnt line up, allowed me to peek through it to get a better view of the socket going on the top bolt. If I have to change it again, it will be a piece of cake. And dont worry about the holes; When you replace the plastic fender lining everything gets covered up and you never know the holes are there. Doing this will save a lot of scraped hands and cursing!

 

Nice tip.

I hope you primed and painted the edges of both those holes.

 

Good tip, thanks.

When I did mine, I did not find it that difficult to get the bolt out, or a u-joint flex socket on it, rather it was getting the top bolt back in place and started before you use the socket to tighten it. You idea may be a big help in that department.

 

I gutted mine and put it back on. I now run an in-line thermostat on the top hose. Much easier to replace in future. That being said, I was able to remove and reinstall from the bottom. Tight but doable with 1/4” drive wrench and deep socket 10mm.