Re: 54 Packard - Removing the Thermostat Housing Bolts

Posted by BigKev On 2009/11/11 22:32:53

I agree with Randy. An impact gun is great for removing stuck fasteners without snapping them. A torque wrench is not needed for removing fasteners, only tightening them to recommend specs.

WD is just about worthless as a penetrator. Buy some PB Blaster, hit the area with a wire brush to remove any paint or rust scale, and then soak with PB Blaster. Give it a day to soak in really good, and then a coupe of hits with an Impact gun should break it loose without snapping it.

The hammering action of the Impact sends the force down the length of the bolt helping to break it free. As opposed to just a socket wrench that will simply twist the head off of a stuck bolt.

Luckily the thermostat bolts should be very easy to drill out.