That 1993 Ford F150 trucks are still on the road is a testament to the die-hard attitude Ford had when the company built the F150. That attitude can only go so far, however. Now that your Ford has a lot of miles on it, you must pay attention to the cooling system--in particular, the thermostat. Engine buildup can cause it to fail, and if that happens while you have a full payload, you can cause severe engine damage that could cost thousands to repair.
Locate the cover for the thermostat by following the top radiator hose to where it connects to the engine. The thermostat cover is connected to the hose and is bolted to the intake manifold on the F150. Remove the two bolts that hold the thermostat cover onto the intake manifold with an adjutant wrench. Pull the thermostat cover with the hose still attached upward and then push them off to the side so you can access the thermostat.
Pull the broken thermostat out of the intake manifold of the F150 and discard it. Place the new thermostat into the intake manifold with the end marked "top" facing upward out of the engine.
Pull the old paper gasket off of the intake manifold and discard it. Place a bead of silicone RTV (room temperature vulcanization) gasket maker around the area where the gasket was placed. This will create a seal to prevent fluid from leaking between the intake and the thermostat cover. Allow the silicone to dry for 15 minutes.
Place the thermostat cover back onto the intake manifold and bolt it back into place with just your fingers. Do not tighten with a wrench. Allow 15 minute for additional drying of the silicone and then tighten with a wrench.
