Coolant problem update w/pics

I should also mention when I was driving home from autozone yesterday, i noticed a high pitched weezing or whine at idle. I assume now that was it spraying coolant everywhere.

What is that metal piece that the hose connects to? That seems to be where it is leaking

Ok so I probably need a new thermostat housing and coolant runner just to be sure that I'm covered? I would assume if changed both of these parts with new gaskets then that would cover all bases correct?

I also know that the older mustangs would crack the intake manifold but haven't read much about that happening on the newer PI head. Is that correct? I'm assuming I don't need to really worry about the intake manifold.

Got a new thermostat and oring. Figured I'd try the easiest things first. Does the oring need any kind of additional sealant?

ok I wanna make sure I'm looking at the right thing. In the second picture the hose clips onto the thermo housing. Then their is a gasket connecting the thermo housing to whatever that is going into the intake manifold. When i went out and looked at this morning, it was actually wet at the gasket pictured in the second pic. That is the thermo gasket correct? Or is the thermo gasket actually up on top of that cylinder and that's a different gasket underneath.

What i got from autozone was the 180 degree thermo (may as well replace it while I'm there) and the O-ring that they said I needed to go with the thermo. Is that not the gasket pictured in the second pic between the cylinder and the elbow piece?

wraitherx said:

while your in there might as well go ahead and change out that cracking belt:2cents

Click to expand...

That's on the list as well.

Also do I need any kind of silicone sealant for either of these gaskets?

AJM, thank you very much for clearing up which is which for me, rep for u

ok fantastic. Just had advance order me the gasket for $33. They asked whether it was the upper plenum gasket or lower. I told him the lower. Is that correct? Is there a write up anywhere on how to change the intake manifold gasket? I found one for the thermo but no such luck on the intake manifold

Holy crap. I didn't think it looked that involved. I thought it was another O-ring. I may be picking up a Haynes manual tomorrow at advance as well.

What else should I replace while I'm at it as far as general maintenece goes?

Just got it 5 or 6 weeks ago. 76,000 miles.

I assumed I would get to the plugs. Is the fuel filter up by the motor as well? I'm just looking for things I'm going to be getting to b/c of taking the intake manifold off. Belt and coolant flush are already planned.

Ok so as far as this specific job goes I'm looking at doing thermostat and thermostat o-ring, serpentine belt, intake manifold gasket, plugs, and coolant flush.

I'll report back after she's done. Seems to be pretty much a full tune up getting down. Hopefully I can get it done in one day.

What is optimal spark plug gap for these motors?

I'm not driving it all until it's fixed. Got started on it today but not finished. More work on it tomorrow.

Got down to removing the intake manifold and it actually is cracked. It's not just the gasket. I had thought that they stopped using plastic in these manifolds b/c of this problem. Does this mean I have an older style intake manifold or is it that they still use some plastic in production of the manifolds?