Thermostat cover bolt torque needed

[sujitroy]

For the life of me, I can't find the torque needed to bolt down the thermostat cover. Please help.
Sujit

[DJT]

Bolts are 5/16" UNC. Most of the other 5/16" UNC and UNF bolts around the heads are 15 to 20 lb ft. That's the figure I use.

[JeffW]

For the life of me, I can't find the torque needed to bolt down the thermostat cover. Please help.
Sujit

Be careful, I over-torqued due to an annoying leak and cracked the cover.

Jeff

[sujitroy]

Thx. The inlet manifolds bolts use the same I think. Just curious where you found this mentioned in the ROM? I do see mentioned in my ROM under the torque settings under the engine category: Water elbow retaining . Not sure what that is.

[wilf]

That is the thermostat cover/elbow.

[Bakdraft007]

That is the thermostat cover/elbow.

Be very careful, the aluminium housing for the 5/16 UNC is made of cheese and high torque will easily strip the threads. I have seen it on both the Thermostat housing and on the coil mountings. Once they strip its a real pain.

I use hand tightening only and feel the tension. I use Blue Hylomar on the Thermostat gasket as it allows for lower torque settings.