![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.kurtisfranklin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/ThermostatHousings1.jpg\" "\\"ThermostatHousings\\"")
<\/a>After getting back the radiator, I ordered a new thermostat housing. After getting the new part, prepping, and painting it, I am very glad that I did. The differences are astounding. The fan shroud isn’t quite done yet, it needs a second coat of pain on the front and a first and second coat of paint on the back before it will be ready, but that will come along and be ready by tomorrow\u00a0evening\u00a0I hope.<\/p>\nI also learned quite a bit about sand blasting. Walnut shells are great at removing paint, but not much else, but\u00a0aluminum\u00a0oxide fills that need nicely. Unfortunately, I ran out of the aluminum oxide 20 minutes before Harbor Freight closed. The next morning I was back up and running, finished blasting the fan shroud clean and got the original side-view mirror arm blasted. After blasting the mirror arm I found a crack about 1\/2″ at the base that will need to be repaired before going back on.<\/p>\n
After the blasting was done, I wet sanded the shroud and arm. The shroud started to flash rust a little after it was done, so I dried it with a leaf blower, then did a light coat of primer to keep it nice. A second coat of primer sealed it nicely, and the first coat of paint is bringing it back to it’s original good looks (for a fan shroud).<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, today I ran into an issue while checking that I had everything ready for re-assembly. Apparently, it completely slipped my mind that I would need new bolts to attach the new thermostat housing to the block. After looking through everything I got, I realized the parts list I am using has the cooling system from the thermostat housing to the water pump listed\u00a0separately\u00a0from the thermostat assembly, with the assembly being listed with the engine group and the rest of the cooling system listed under cooling. Since I hadn’t even looked at that page, I never thought of getting the 3 new bolts. And, just my luck, I find this out at 7pm on the Sunday before Memorial Day.<\/p>\n
So, I think after I get all my parts painted, I’ll put everything back in its place on Ike with the exception of the thermostat assembly and then I’ll make a special trip to get the proper bolts. I may also try and clean the current bolts which aren’t too bad and see if I can get it together tomorrow and replace the bolts at a later time.<\/p>\n
So I guess the moral of this little adventure is to always overbuy blasting media and\/or start your blasting early enough in the day that you can run and get more if you need to, don’t paint in the windy desert, and always check your bolts before trying to put your Jeep back together.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
After a few weeks of purchasing parts, waiting for them to arrive, and doing lots of sand blasting, sanding, priming and painting, I’m only a few steps away from having Ike back together and running. After getting back the radiator, I ordered a new thermostat housing. After getting the new part, prepping, and painting it, I am very glad that I did. The differences are astounding. The fan shroud isn’t quite done yet, it needs a second coat of pain on the front and a first and second coat of paint on the back before it will be ready, but…<\/p>\n