changing theromstat, sheared head off one bolt, other stripped
 

OK, so I was trying to change the thermostat in my 88 vert and the bolt towards the front took a considerable amount of force to come off but eventually did (rusted bolt), however the other bolt was rather difficult. Not knowing my strength, I gave it a push and the head of the bolt came off. Now, i'm stuck. Or, shall I say screwed. I tried to put the other bolt back in and got it good and snug, but water leaked around the seal when I turned the engine on. I tried to tighten the bolt and the god damn thing sheared the threads and the bolt popped right out. I think i'm screwed.... any suggestions????

-AV

You= fucked. :p: You could drill out the holes and re-tap the threads, and get new bolts. Personally I would just get a used waterpump housing from a junkyard or something, be much easier.

Sounds like your have to dirll the hole larger and tap the bolt one size larger. It really pisses me off, cuz I got in a hurry putting my enigne back together and got to much RTV in the threads on one of my oil pan bolts and once the RTV cured I couln't get the bolt out so I have to drill/tap, and I HATE doing that shit.

You aren't alone.
https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showth...hreadid=126714
Try ez out on the broken one, if you have access to one.
If you still have threads in the other hole, run a tap down it.

Omg... I just got home from the Mazda dealership with my new thermostat... Now I'm afraid to put it in!!! :(:(:(:(

thanks guys, you're a lifesaver. I didn't think about ez-out or even replacing the water pump / etc. I'll probably just run to a pick and pull this weekend and buy a new housing, but now I have options. This board rocks!

thanks guys, you're a lifesaver. I didn't think about ez-out or even replacing the water pump / etc. I'll probably just run to a pick and pull this weekend and buy a new housing, but now I have options. This board rocks!

might as well get another one, same thing happened to me on my old s4 and when i was attempting to drill it out the rest of the housing split on me, got one from mazdatrix.com but its a pricy peice to replace


-Shawn