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...0.1280.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]

Originally Posted by 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...0.1280.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]

Originally Posted by XfireZ51

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]

Originally Posted by XfireZ51

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?

[A26B]

Originally Posted by WVZR-1

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.