Just replaced my thermostat on my sr20 with a nismo and thought i’d do a little write up incase theres other ppl looking for how to do it.
Right now my engine isnt in the car (waiting till spring to drop it) so it will have been a little easier for me because i didnt have to remove the clutch fan or anything. Ive also posted a link (@ the bottom) for more clarification.
Tools needed
10 mm Socket
Ratchet
Liquid Gasket
New thermostat
Step 1 (I skipped a couple steps because i did not need to remove the clutch fan or any belts since my engine is already out of the car and doesnt have the fan on it. )
First i used the ratchet with a 10 mm socket to remove the three 10mm sockets holding the thermostat housing on.
It will still be held on by some sealent so you can just pull it off.
Step 2
there will be some more sealent holding the thermostat in place. Wipe away this sealent and pop out the old thermostat.
Step 3
Next, you will need to remove all the old sealant that is still stuck on so the new thermostat has a clean, smooth surface to be put on.
Step 4
You will then use some liquid gasket and put an even bead of it on the rim of your new thermostat so it will have a good seal.
Step 5
Now you just pop it back into the hole and make sure that the thermostat is flush with its housing. You will also need to make sure that the “jiggle valve” is at the top of the thermostat when you put the new one back in.
Step 6
Take the thermostat housing and you will use liquid gasket to seal this aswell putting an even bead along the inside. Once you’ve put the liquid gasket on you are able to put the thermostat housing back on your engine using the three 10mm bolts that held it on.
(and yes i need a new thermostat housing so i skipped adding the liquid gasket in this last step.)
FINISHED
You should not drive immediatley. Give it about a day for the liquid gasket to cure.
Let me know if theres something i’m missing or something you see that is incorrect.
Another DIY on NICO but for Z32 but still handy (the post by “izmyttz” : http://forums.nicoclub.com/zerothread?id=277301&postid=4232219