96 Corsica Thermostat replacement. How to?

I recently bought a 1996 Chevy Corsica 3100 V6 with 92736 miles on it. I recently did a radiator flush on it with Dex-Cool 50/50 and now I'm trying to find an easier way to change out my thermostat but the exhaust manifold is in the way along with the throttle body. I only have a small socket kit a 13mm and 15mm wrench to work with in order to get to the thermostat housing. So my question is, is there anyway I can take the exhaust manifold off with the 4 bolts holding it on without messing anything up in order to make it easier to access and get to the bottom bolt holding on the housing?
I'm kind of a newbie MECHANIC so please don't laugh. Just point me in the right direction!

Removing the exhaust crossover is a lot more work than you might realize. The project is easier with one of these:

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/31ofgGu778L.jpg

This might also help:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgLWR1dCXRM

When working on a cold engine, you don't have to worry about a hot exhaust pipe......with the proper wrenches and patience, it can be done....


I didn't usually get cold engines.......so, I lower the coolant level and remove the throttle body(couple bolts and you will need a new gasket).....gives you better access to the two bolts on the thermostat housing.......

Don't mess with the crossover pipe......those bolts will usually snap if you try to loosen/remove them...

I got it done. I inner locked a 14mm wrench to the open end of my 13mm wrench to get more torque and leverage to take off the bottom housing bolt. (that sucker was really on there tight) It was a lil bit easier after I had removed the throttle body to access the bolt. But I got the new thermostat in and everything else put back together and topped it back off with more dexcool 50/50 mix. But the damn "LOW COOLANT LIGHT" is still on when there's plenty of coolant in it already!! Any ideas on how to fix this problem next???

It is important to bleed air out of these systems. There should be a bleeder screw on the coolant crossover pipe along the front (left bank) of the engine. The bleeder is right above the water pump.

The "low coolant" indicator could be the result of contamination and deposits on the coolant level sensor. I've had this happen more than once. The coolant level sensor should be in the end radiator tank.

If the level sensor is in the expansion tank, with car running and the light on, take the handle of a screwdriver and hit the tank near the sensor......light will go out...make sure level is ok....

T-II is probably correct. My B-cars have the sensors in the XP tank. I had a couple Luminas and a Skylark of the same vintage and those had the sensor in one of the radiator tanks. I guessed they were similar.

I remember the level sensor in the radiators....they usually were in "W" cars.....they were on the passenger side, about 2-3 " from the top...rectangular in shape, and you will see a wire harness going to it.....a metal clip holds it in place....

http://repairguide.autozone.com/znetrgs/repair_guide_content/en_us/images/0996b43f/80/20/26/f5/medium/0996b43f802026f5.gif

BINGO! And what a PITA that was.