Next remove the two oil fill tube bolts. Try to clean any dirt from around the tube to motor insertion point as the tube is pulled out to minimize any dirt getting into the hole.
Cover the hole with a rag so no dirt or antifreeze enters when the thermostat housing is removed. Remove wire loom bracket attached to the top of the thermostat housing. Remove the bolt attaching the black coolant tube to the thermostat housing. Remove the four thermostat housing bolts. I did not loosen any of the other bolts holding the black coolant tube in place. I lifted up on the housing to break free the seal of the thermostats.
The front thermostat did stick to the housing cover which inhibited the removal of the cover. I used a screw driver to pop it out of the stuck gasket back into it's seat to allow the cover to be removed.
A bit of wiggling back and forth will remove the housing from the black coolant pipe. Clean both surfaces really good. I lightly used 220 grit emery cloth to clean the mating surface of the housing cover. Installed the new o-ring on the outlet pipe and used dielectric grease to make installation on the pipe easier.
The thermostat with the jiggle pins must go towards the back of the motor with the jiggle pins located towards the back of the motor.
This thermostat is made off center to allow for the sloped shape in the back of the hole on the engine. Installation in any other position other than this can cause the lower part of the thermostat to bottom out before resting in the seat.
Install housing on black outlet pipe. Install all four housing bolts and the outlet pipe bolt loosely before tightening them all. Torque the four housing bolts to 18 ft/lbs. Install new o-ring on the oil fill tube and install tube. Lay compressor back in place and install bolts. Don't forget that there is a wire loom bracket that is attached with the rear passenger side compressor bolt. Torque compressor bolts to 37 ft/lbs. Install wire loom bracket on to the thermostat housing. Plug in the two compressor electrical plugs and the thermostat electrical plug. Reinstall serpentine belt. Reinstall bolts and tighten on the fan guard. Reinstall radiator cover. Install air cleaner housing and tighten clamp. Plug in air flow sensor. Reinstall lower radiator hose and clip. Remove the coolant bleeder plug on the thermostat housing.
Tuck rags around the housing for any overflow when filling radiator. Fill through the reservoir until coolant comes out of the bleed hole. Install the bolt in the bleed hole. Clean spilled coolant to keep it off the belts. Top off reservoir to proper level. Run engine to check for leaks. Leave wheel well cover off until after running engine to get good circulation so any leaks can be spotted easily.