Help for a bonehead

[300DandTD]

Help ! Anyone out there have a spare thermostat housing Part #617 203 19 73 (1985 300D) they would be willing to part with. I will be willing to pay what you think is fair and shipping etc.
I have succeeded in destroying mine trying to replace a thermostat....broke two bolts tried penetrating oil, tapping, patience, heat no go. Tried drilling them and easy out ...no go. Now I have a ruined thermostat housing. No pick and pulls close to me anywhere.... Fastlane and Potomac German Auto searches nil. I am thoroughly frustrated.

[Stevo]

I found one at ***************, I hate to suggest another parts source here but thats the only place, besides the stealer, I could find one.

[300DandTD]

Thanks Steve I will try them. What a major PITA this job has become.

[Stevo]

Yah, I think allot of folks have done that, Put some anti seez compound on the threads.

[J. R. B.]

For rusted and corroded bolts I switched from WD-40 to a product called Kroil available only from Kano Laboratories. When I used it as per their instructions I had way better luck than with WD. Their web site is www.kanolabs.com If anyone tries it I hope they have as much success with it as I have.

[Eskimo]

Originally Posted by J. R. B.

For rusted and corroded bolts I switched from WD-40 to a product called Kroil available only from Kano Laboratories. When I used it as per their instructions I had way better luck than with WD. Their web site is www.kanolabs.com If anyone tries it I hope they have as much success with it as I have.

Good stuff, Kroil. I have seen it sold by a few other places, but the prices were higher than what one would pay getting it directly from Kano.

[TonyD]

I've used Marvel Mystery Oil as a penetrant with success. Haven't tried Kroil yet.

[tangofox007]

I have a friend who is an industrial mechanic. He claims that nothing holds a candle to Kroil.

[Benzcrusher]

I had the exact same problem this weekend..... I didn't have a spare housing so the local junkyard got my $25 for one. I keep a set of gaskets "just in case" for days like today so I was able to put it on when I got home, while you have the housing off the block replace the short hose to the water pump housing... I didn't have one of them so I went to the local Advance Auto with the old hose section and the housing, found a hose of the same diameter and cut it to length....

When you put the thermostat housing together oil the threads and tighten to only 7 ft/lbs (10Nm), hamfisted mechanics overtighten these and make the bolts impossible to remove 5 years later...

[leathermang]

Kroil is recommended by Guy Lautard in " The Machinist's Bedside Reader"....
About the highest praise in the metal world.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=kroil+lautard&btnG=Google+Search

[Eskimo]

I've also heard lots of praise for "PB Blaster", and have used it with success. I've only seen it in spray cans, which is fine for some jobs, but not always the most convenient. Kroil can be had either as an aerosol can or just as plain liquid (half pint, gallon, or 55 gallon drum!) Sometimes it's nice to be able to apply with a brush or to soak a small assembly. I've also seen guys use it as cutting fluid.

I don't have an objective measure of how it compares to Kroil with respect to performance, but one thing PB Blaster has going for it is ready availability. The terms on the Kroil web site even specify that it is sold only for industrial, and not consumer, use.

Now, for all I know, that could be just a matter of limiting legal liability. If not, well, come on, Kroil police, come and get me.

[Brian Carlton]

I bought a small container of Kroil (maybe 8 oz.?). It's readily available on the web at various outlets.

[TomJ]

Originally Posted by 300DandTD

Help ! Anyone out there have a spare thermostat housing Part #617 203 19 73 (1985 300D) they would be willing to part with. I will be willing to pay what you think is fair and shipping etc.
I have succeeded in destroying mine trying to replace a thermostat....broke two bolts tried penetrating oil, tapping, patience, heat no go. Tried drilling them and easy out ...no go. Now I have a ruined thermostat housing. No pick and pulls close to me anywhere.... Fastlane and Potomac German Auto searches nil. I am thoroughly frustrated.

I have one I pulled off a 300D I parted. PM me if you still need one.

[300DandTD]

Thanks but a local person has told me that he has one that will fit. Thanks anyway for the offer.

[boneheaddoctor]

I ha a pinhole leak in mine that demanded it be replaced...I think I paid less than $60 for a spanking new one. But since you found a local one its a moot issue.