1996 Pontiac Transport changing the thermostat

I resently changed my water pump and I was going to do the themostat, I pulled the air box and yes I also pulled the mass air flow sensor so I could see the lower bolt but the exaust is still in the way, I tryed every tool I had socke and offset wrench nothing worked so I gave up. Sorry interested if you do get it let mw know how. Thanks j ames

I'm not sure I have the know how to place a picture of the engine on here, I might have to go to antoher forum to ask how to do that too. LOL! I will see what I can do. I'm sure glad your trying to help me out. I've been stumped for awhile. I just couldn't believe you would have to take all that off to get to the thermostat.
I have heard of people having to drop an engine just to get to something. I kinda forgot what it was they needed to replace, but you get the picture. I really hope not to have to go that far with pulling the throttle body with those cables attatched.

Thanks again!

Here again you are showing me how to do something. Just be patient please, this is my first time asking for help like this. Technology is wonderful!

If this is what your engine looks like, then this may be tough. i had to find this on the web and it is real small. do you know how to email the pic? you can send it to me and i will post it for you. here is what i found, but too small. what i circled in red is what i believe to be the hose you need to follow, i cannot tell for the photo is too small

Yes that is a similar engine but it is more than what I can see when I lift the hood. Oh and alot cleaner too! The hose is to the left of your circle, it has the stripe on it. If you follow that you will see it goes under that housing where the air intake hose connects to. The angle of the picture is exactley how I can see it but only about a quarter less from the top. What you can't see is the metal heat shields from the exhaust manifold. I'm sorry, the more I tell you, I'm beginning to think it is impossible for a do it yourselfer! I guess I was hoping somone had a magic button you pushed to pop it off from under all that. I do thank you for assisting me in this impossible feat though. Thanks again, like I said this was my first time asking anything over the computer. A friend just suggested it. If you find that magic button, please feel free to send it to me:)

Don't give up yet. It would be nice if you could get us a picture of a better view and angle. On my way home from work today I will stop by advanced and see if they have an open haynes manuel for your car

How is this going to help. Im james and I posted back at the start of this mess. Some one said the bottom hole is slotted, but if I could get it loose I wouldnt have a problem removing it completetly, would i. I have a manual too and it does look easy but what it doesnt show in how close the exaust and the heat sheild are to the lower bolt. I cant even get a socket on it, and using a wrench or any kind of offset wrench is basically impossable. I gave up, I couldnt gett it.