Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here XJ (84-01)
All OEM related XJ specific tech. Examples, no start, general maintenance or anything that's stock.

bolt size for t-stat housing

Old Aug 27, 2012 | 08:33 AM
  #1  
DUBarado's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
From: Pomona NJ
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Angry bolt size for t-stat housing

Hola guys,

Well I am probably the worlds slowest mechanic as it comes to finding time to getting around to fix the Jeep, but alas, I found the clogging in my hoses that lead to my constant over heating... I went to put the thermostat housing back in, but it didn't flush mount because the thermostat itself slid down... SNAP!!! went the housing...

I bought a new housing, but it doesn't come with new bolts... what size bolts go on the housing? I can't get the top one out of the original housing, so I figured I might as well replace it all....

Cliffs notes:

broke thermostat housing
bolts are old and starting to strip
what size bolts needed for thermostat housing




thanks!
Reply
Old Aug 27, 2012 | 11:44 AM
  #2  
DUBarado's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
From: Pomona NJ
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

anybody? I'm hoping to get the bolts after work and fix it tonight!!
Reply
Old Aug 27, 2012 | 11:47 AM
  #3  
Lowrange2's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 15,016
Likes: 11
From: +34° 25' 35.67", -81° 21' 12.04"
Year: 1993
Engine: 4.0
Default

5/16-18 thread
Top one is 1 3/4 long, bottom is 3/4 long

https://www.google.com/search?q=Jeep...hrome&ie=UTF-8
Reply
Old Aug 27, 2012 | 11:55 AM
  #4  
DUBarado's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
From: Pomona NJ
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

that sounds about right, and I was googling just thermostat bolt jeep, leading me to threads about how to extract them stripped.

thank you though!
Reply
Old Aug 27, 2012 | 06:11 PM
  #5  
DUBarado's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
From: Pomona NJ
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

The threading is right, but the top one is more like 2 1/2 long. The 2 inch one barely threads. So im not gonna push it.
Reply
Old Aug 28, 2012 | 02:00 AM
  #6  
5-90's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,018
Likes: 23
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: AMC242
Default

The threads seize because the steel screw ends up losing its zinc plating, and it rusts to the iron head.

To prevent this? Either use brass/bronze screws (a marine supply house should have them,) or coat the threads and screw shank with RTV before you install it (does double duty as a light-duty threadlocker, and seals the threads as well.)
Reply
Old Oct 18, 2025 | 02:47 AM
  #7  
XFletchJ's Avatar
Junior Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 41
Likes: 2
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Default

So what's the actual size of the 2 Thermostat bolts? I've been searching the forums and everyone is saying something different.
"5/16-18x 1 3/4" (top) and 5/'6-18x 3/4 (bottom)" ?????
"5/16-18x 1 1/2" (top) and 5/'6-18x 2 1/4 (bottom)" ?????
"5/16-18x 2 1/2" (top) and 5/'6-18x 3/4"Bottom?????

I have a 2001 xj and need some bolts for the t-stat housing.
Does the bolt size vary by year?
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
JayneCobb
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
26
Aug 11, 2020 03:22 PM
CrazyDuck
Stock Grand Cherokee Tech. All ZJ/WJ/WK Non-modified/stock questions go here!
9
Sep 30, 2015 06:37 PM
BluJay
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
3
Sep 9, 2015 05:05 AM
Dan Fredrickson
Vendor Showcase
2
Sep 8, 2015 08:47 AM

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:26 PM.