DDK - Die Deutschen Klassiker

Anyone have any tips on undoing the 36mm nut that connects the thermostat to the oil tank ?

At the moment it is refusing to budge, even with a bit of mild heat. I don't want to really 'lean' on it in case I damage the thermostat.

Worst case scenario I can see is cutting the 36mm aluminium nut ....


Anyone know how much a new thermostat might cost? ( in case I get really frustrated )

Picture James?

its this bit of the tank ( photo is a later car ) , but instead of a flexi fitting, the thermostat is directly mounted to the tank

One of my pipes to from the oil tank to the oil filter housing was stuck fast, I had to take the pipe off the tank and then the housing off the car complete with the pipe so I could attack it in the vice!

Heat was the only option, together with, how shall we say, a committed technique with the spanner.

My only fear with your pipe/thermostat is that you may end up damaging the tank.

I assume you've tried the tapping with a hammer to disturb the rust method?

Other than that... try harder...

Does it really need to come off?

I'm fitting a 'new' oil tank so it has to come undone. If it was a hose then I would sacrifice it , but the thermostat fits directly to the tank.

I fear if I cut the aluminium nut I will need to fit a whole new thermostat

Just been reading on Pelican that heat is a bad idea. I'll keep going using the method I am ( spanner with some sharp shocks from a hammer ) along with lots of penetrating fluid and see what happens.

seems the arrangment I have is again a '73 only one. I can imagine the chances of finding a one year only thermostat as being slim

here is a pic from PET

and here is a photo I have found :




It is the large 36mm nut you can see connecting the tank to the thermostat.

If I cut that nut, I can't see how I could install a new one onto the thermostat body???

here is a pic of the later type

Right, the big question now is, can the nut ( part 8 on the PET diagram above) be replaced if cut off from the housing?

Anyone know?

James,

Is the tank and stat off the car? I guess if it is you have the stat housing secured in a vice so you can really get some torque on it. I'm till tempted by a little more heat, and maybe an extension on the spanner...

Do you need one of your burly farmer friends to come round and pull on it for you

Oh yes. The question. No idea!

I would imagine it is part of the assembly.

general opinion seems to suggest it is not wise to use heat on the aluminium thermostat nut as it also heats up the aluminium olive which then makes the joint tighter.

Also those who have used a fair bit of leverage on the thermostat nuts always seem to manage to sheer / crack the aluminium housing

Under advice from Mike bainbridge, I have left the tank & thermostat on the car at this stage as there is nothing preventing me from applying lots of leverage apart from the fear of damaging the thermostat .

Why do those simple jobs end up being a right pain in the .... I can see this costing me some money

Gary71 wrote:Oh yes. The question. No idea!

I would imagine it is part of the assembly.

Thats how I see it too ..... I am hoping someone will tell me differently

Hello..I am a bit confused here..

The nut it part of the pipe surely?

ie cutting the nut will only destroy the pipe?

I'd favour that to busting the housing threads..

heat applied very carefully and locally to the nut will work..but needs to be done very rapidly and briefly using oxy acetylen, and then use candle wax to wick into the threads.

I alos smear on moly paste..

Kind regards
David

David,

I think James means this nut: