LT5 Thermostat Housing

[G2Garrettson]

I'm looking for either a replacement 1991 LT5 thermostat housing or a shop that can refurbish the one I have. It has sprung a leak, I think around where one of the heater hose pipes comes in. Before I pull the unit and start looking for a shop that can refurbish it, I wanted to see if there was any source of replacement thermostat housings for that engine, or recommendations for a shop to refurbish the unit.

[efnfast]

Jerry might have one. jerrysgaskets.com

[Scrrem]

Thermostat housings for these cars are very tough to come by and if one does pop up on Ebay, it will cost you. I have never heard of someone refurbishing these units, but interesting idea. Jerry's would be your best bet for a replacement unit.
Rich

[WVZR-1]

The threaded nipple in the housing is a "serviced part" as well as the retainer that secures the heater hose inside of the nipple. The internal seal in the nipple is not serviceable.

GM # 24503681 would get you that service part and it's likely on a GM dealers shelf "local", GM # 10089613 is the original retainer only and that's also likely on a "local" shelf but possibly NLA. The other hose has a similar but reversed attachment to a nipple that's welded in the housing. I've never tried the same retainer in that attaching point.

[A26B]

The original, servicable/threaded nipple is made from "pot metal." The replacement we carry is made from steel & is much more robust. You can probably get one from Autozone, Advance, O'Reilly, etc. Expect that it will twist off when being removed, requiring drilling out the dutchman and chasing the threads. If you don't have the right tools & skill, probably better to take to a machine shop than mess up a $500~$750 part.

Here's a link to see a photo of the part. http://cdn3.bigcommerce.com/s-nkg90o/products/383/images/1356/24503681__49390.1438823372.1280.1280.jpg?c=2

I do have a CNC billet replacement in the works, Although it will fit the same, it will not look like the OEM. This is a complex part to reproduce without springing for a new casting mold, requiring a 5 axis machining center.

[WVZR-1]

The original, servicable/threaded nipple is made from "pot metal." The replacement we carry is made from steel & is much more robust. You can probably get one from Autozone, Advance, O'Reilly, etc. Expect that it will twist off when being removed, requiring drilling out the dutchman and chasing the threads. If you don't have the right tools & skill, probably better to take to a machine shop than mess up a $500~$750 part.

Here's a link to see a photo of the part. http://cdn3.bigcommerce.com/s-nkg90o/products/383/images/1356/24503681__49390.1438823372.1280.1280.jpg?c=2

I do have a CNC billet replacement in the works, Although it will fit the same, it will not look like the OEM. This is a complex part to reproduce without springing for a new casting mold, requiring a 5 axis machining center.

The "service part" I referenced isn't the "pot metal" construction, that hasn't been serviced in that fashion by GM for likely 15+ years and probably 20.

Do you have a solution to the female coupling to the welded nipple on the outlet?

[XfireZ51]

Anyone look into 3D printing for this?

[GOLDCYLON]

Anyone look into 3D printing for this?


My thoughts of well since it is pretty complex. To me it reminds me of a Jarvic heart valve

[WVZR-1]

Anyone look into 3D printing for this?

Only a BMW floor mat and cup-holder sales guy would even consider the 3D approach. SORRY I couldn't resist !!


BTW - How goes the new job?

[efnfast]

Why can't Carter make these? Carter?

[efnfast]

Sorry Jerry, I posted this before I read your post. We certainly don't need two people investing money to make these. We don't consume that many.

[A26B]

The "service part" I referenced isn't the "pot metal" construction, that hasn't been serviced in that fashion by GM for likely 15+ years and probably 20.

Do you have a solution to the female coupling to the welded nipple on the outlet?

See, that tells you how much behind times I am! Is bread still 10 loaves for a dollar?

No, no solution to that part. To tell you the truth it hasn't come up on my radar. My priority list for manufacture of new parts is a hybrid list based on how critical the part is and also how expensive to develop. Presently in various stages of 12 new parts exclusive to the ZR-1 LT5.

[A26B]

Sorry Jerry, I posted this before I read your post. We certainly don't need two people investing money to make these. We don't consume that many.

No worries on my part. What matters most to me is filling the holes in keeping the LT5 viable. The gasket business has certainly evolved into more than I ever imagined & has become, what I am told, the most viable source on earth for LT5 parts. What I do know for sure, is that I am no longer retired!

[GOLDCYLON]

Presently in various stages of 12 new parts exclusive to the ZR-1 LT5.


Awesome :thumbsup: Can you give us some hints Jerry ?

[Gunny]

... What I do know for sure, is that I am no longer retired!

Jerry, from my perspective being no longer retired is both good & bad. In looking at your retirement possibilities it appears that you need to buy up all the ZR-1's so that you would no longer have to spend so much time developing & restoring the "lost" parts. You gotta think outa the box, bro !!!

and now that you've picked yourself up from the floor from laughing so hard at my preposterous suggestion, let me give you a HUGE thanks for the service you provide to the ZR-1 community. :cheers:

[FU]

:salute: Yes Sir !!

[cvette98pacecar]

The original, servicable/threaded nipple is made from "pot metal." The replacement we carry is made from steel & is much more robust. You can probably get one from Autozone, Advance, O'Reilly, etc. Expect that it will twist off when being removed, requiring drilling out the dutchman and chasing the threads. If you don't have the right tools & skill, probably better to take to a machine shop than mess up a $500~$750 part.

Here's a link to see a photo of the part. http://cdn3.bigcommerce.com/s-nkg90o/products/383/images/1356/24503681__49390.1438823372.1280.1280.jpg?c=2

I do have a CNC billet replacement in the works, Although it will fit the same, it will not look like the OEM. This is a complex part to reproduce without springing for a new casting mold, requiring a 5 axis machining center.

I knew you would be creating a replacement for one of the three hard to get parts.

There is no half stepping @ Jerry's Gaskets.

SEMPER FI

[Coupe89]

I'm looking for either a replacement 1991 LT5 thermostat housing or a shop that can refurbish the one I have. It has sprung a leak, I think around where one of the heater hose pipes comes in. Before I pull the unit and start looking for a shop that can refurbish it, I wanted to see if there was any source of replacement thermostat housings for that engine, or recommendations for a shop to refurbish the unit.

I gave my thermostat to a machine shop. I had a broken pipe off of the hose in the thermostat. It cost $75 to take it out. Cheaper then buying the tools and time I invested into getting out myself....

[GOLDCYLON]

I gave my thermostat to a machine shop. I had a broken pipe off of the hose in the thermostat. It cost $75 to take it out. Cheaper then buying the tools and time I invested into getting out myself....

Money well spent as you and Jerry suggested :cheers: