So trying to replace my thermostat and I cant seem to get it off... theres a grayish sealant on there that seems to be glueing it on. Any ideas? I thought about trying to pry it off, but i couldnt get anything inbetween the gap and I didnt wanna use leverage on something in the engine that might snap or break.

I should probably ask this also as I've never personally taken it off...
Once the two screws holding it in are removed, it should just lift right off, right? I cant see any other screws and it doesnt seem like it "unscrews" from the waterpump, it simply lifts off ?

 

Yes it should just lift off.

I would also try to pry it off.

 

There should be no sealant on there (somebody goofed). The water neck should lift right off.

 

You might try screwing a larger bolt (just into the housing---not the theads---and grab the bolt head with some vice grips and and use a small hammer or whatever to tap the housing up OR somehow use a wheel puller against the bolt and try to pull it up. Just hope that they didn't use cold weld instead of gasket cement.

 

rubber mallet

small scizzors jack

"C" Clamp

Cold chisel

As was mentioned---if it isn't welded on, it will come off with a little persuasion.

I have found that a chisel and hammer work quite well in these situations if you place the chisel where it won't to any damage. Once the chisel get a bite, esp. in aluminum, it usually just take a whack or two to do the job---just make sure that your chisel is not going to cut the damn thing in half.JMHO