Listees -

Today was a major milestone for me on my water pump job.  I removed the
old water pump!  Got the a/c compressor out too.  Not sure what I'll do
with it yet(would like to remove entire system -- I'll think about that
another week!).  Anyway the upper coolant pipe (just above the crankshaft
pulley) was a MAJOR stumbling block.  I couldn't free it from the t-stat
housing, sort of wedged in between the block, the pulley, plus having the
oil dipstick housing welded to the coolant pipe made it an incredible
pain to get out.  Wound up removing alternator (for leverage) and taking
t-stat housing off of water pump before removing pump(unlike Tom's web
instruction), and managed to twist that coolant pipe outta there!!

So here's where I am now.  Before I started this job I asked the list
about using an 80 degree t-stat versus a stock 87 degree.  Everyone
agreed to go with stock so that's what I bought at Bus Depot.  But now I
am seeing the used t-stat with the code: 2.112.80  My new one says
2.112.87  So it seems my vanagon has been running cool?  Note that I have
a very small leak at the right head or head gasket.  If I now return the
engine to a stock(hotter) t-stat will my leak become larger or more
pronounced due to higher temps and heat expansion?  Before finishing this
job I am going to put the K&W stop-leak treatment in and hope to seal her
up at least temporarily.  So my question is this:  the vanagon ran fine
with the 80 t-stat.  Should I order another like it in this case and can
the stock one?  Whaddya think?

By the way I never could've gotten this far(sanely) without the guidance
of Tom's Web Page instructing water pump replacement.  This job has been
waaaaaaaaaay difficult. I might add eye goggles to his list of tools &
supplies though.  WIth all the dirt and rust from coolant pipes and such
and time spent underneath, I'm sure I would be blind without those
goggles.

Thanks again for advice,

Les
84 Westy
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