Replace the Upper & Lower Thermostat Housing on 4.0L

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Thank you to the author. This was very helpful.

Couple of tips...
- Unless you have a fancy set of spring clamp pliers, yank that serp belt and remove the idler pully. Makes getting to the bypass hose clamps so much easier for us heathens that use channel-locks.
- If you are also replacing the radiator get that thicc bitch out of there first to give yourself even more room to work in.
 
Ditto on getting the SerpBelt & IdlerPulley out of the way before replacing the TStatHousing.
No point in replacing an old junk Plastic TStatHousing with another new junk Plastic TStatHousing;
upgrade to an Aluminum TStatHousing & not worry about that lower body seam splitting open.
Gen1 Job1 or Gen1 Job2 ExSportTrac & V6~4.0L~SOHC?
More on replacing+upgrading TStatHousing & other CoolingSystem components at links below.
Hope this helps.

https://2001fordexplorersporttrac.fandom.com/Engine_Coolant_ThermoStathttps://2001fordexplorersporttrac.fandom.com/Engine_Coolant_Fan+Clutch+Pumphttps://2001fordexplorersporttrac.fandom.com/Engine_Coolant_Radiator+Caphttps://2001fordexplorersporttrac.fandom.com/Engine_Coolant_HeaterValvehttps://2001fordexplorersporttrac.fandom.com/Engine_Coolant
2001.Ford.ExST_Stat.Hous_0500_NewPart.GIF
 
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Third tip...
If you are wanting/needing to replace the timing chain tensioners, do it now while everything is out of the way.
 
I've had to replace exactly one thermostat housing over the last 17 years. My only regret is I didn't replace it with the aftermarket aluminum housing. But I needed it fast at the time, so I went OEM plastic which was gettable the same day it cracked on me. When I rebuild the engine, I'll probably go ahead and go that way.
 

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