I don't know if the cases are different but I have a 2.1 case in my '85 with
all the 1.9 bits.  I managed to change the thermostat without dropping the
exhaust by taking off the bolts holding the water pump on and moving the
pump out [that's towards the driver's side of the van] enough so that the
thermostat clears the exhaust pipes below it.  Worked OK.

Mike

On 1/12/05 1:23 AM, "Daniel L. Katz" <katzd54@YAHOO.COM> wrote:

> al:
> 
> with engine optimized for 87 C thermostat, the 80 C unit would reduce fuel
> economy, increase emissions, and limit heat available inside, especially
> in bitter cold weather. i think lower temp thermostat might be helpful in
> extremely hot weather, especially off road or for really high speed
> driving, or to compensate for another problem, but is not necessary for
> most applications.
> 
> the thermostat on our '84 1.9 l evidently failed open, which was lucky,
> because without lowering the exaust pipes on this particular van, it is
> impossible to remove the lower thermostat housing. believe me, i've spent
> hours jiggling, and it is impossible. the van runs great, but a little
> cool in our mild w oregon winters. we more or less have a rule against
> driving it in sub-freezing weather anyway, which allows me to leave well
> enough alone, and also run 20W50 dino oil year round.
> 
> incidently, i had a thermostat fail closed in another car last week, and
> it was tedius driving 1/2 mi, letting the engine cool off, then another
> 1/2 mi, and so on, a few miles across town, with, conveniently, napa the
> last stop before home. i think the thermostat gave a little warning the
> day before, but it was ambiguous because i had had the coolant drained,
> and just refilled the system after several days and therefore wasn't too
> surprised by the car running a little hotter than usual, maybe purging
> some trapped air in a short drive around the neighborhood. curious as to
> whether anyone has had experience with a line of beck arnley thermostats,
> which are engineered to fail open.
> 
> dan
> 
> On Wed, 12 Jan 2005 01:40:38 -0600, Al and Sue Brase <albeeee@MCHSI.COM>
> wrote:
> 
>> Is there any reason to not run the highest temp one all the time? Is
>> that 87� C? I don't think any manufacturer
>> recommends changing thermostats between summer and winter.
>> Al Brase
> 
>