ZR-1 Net Registry Forums  

Go Back   ZR-1 Net Registry Forums > C4 ZR-1 > C4 ZR-1 Technical Postings

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 10-12-2018   #1
SBAquaLT5
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Santa Barbara CA
Posts: 51
Default Thermostat Housing Fun

Not an unfamiliar issue, but always fun. If I was more content with my heater not working, I would have left it alone.

I'm stopping by a machine shop tomorrow to see if I can drill and tap. A #6 extractor was no help today.

Anybody have success stories fixing this?

__________________
1993 Bright Aqua Metallic # 027
SBAquaLT5 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-12-2018   #2
A26B
 
A26B's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Arcadia,OK
Posts: 3,394
Default Re: Thermostat Housing Fun

Both metals (aluminum t-stat housing & pot metal connector) are soft, so extra care needs to be taken to not damage the threads. EZ-outs frequently make removal more difficult because they expand the broken part, aka "dutchman," making it tighter. Drilling to remove is OK for straight threads, but the thread form used in this application is a tapered pipe thread. If done carefully, you can use a small chisel to drive one side of the dutchman towards the center, effectively collapsing it inward. The dutchman, being fragile is a benefit to this method. Once one side is collapsed& removed, the remainder is easy to remove using the same method at a different location. When completed, chase the threads with the proper tap size, being careful to not run it too deep. Again, this is a tapered thread (NPT), removing too much metal can be detrimental to tightening the new connector.

Taking the t-stat housing to a machine shop is a good idea, they will have all the necessary skills & tools. Screwing up the t-stat housing can make the repair more costly.
__________________
Jerry Downey
JERRYS LT5 GASKETS & PARTS
http://www.jerrysgaskets.com
1994 ZR-1, Black/Black, Lingenfelter Aerobody, 416cu in, 3.91 gears, coil-over susp, Brembo brakes, etc.
2016 Black-Red, 3LT-Z51 Auto 8-speed.
A26B is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-12-2018   #3
Corvettes White
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 477
Default Re: Thermostat Housing Fun

Get a hold of this company: JERRY'S BROKEN DRILL AND TAP REMOVAL. Santa Ana, Orange County. I have used him for car parts. The aerospace industry uses him for their stuff. Reasonable costs. Small outfit. Nice man.
George
Corvettes White is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-12-2018   #4
SBAquaLT5
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Santa Barbara CA
Posts: 51
Default Re: Thermostat Housing Fun

Thank you Jerry for the great advice; I was on the phone with you a couple days ago about this. I have not found a replacement housing anywhere, so being ginger with this one is the biggest priority.

I'll look into the Broken Drill and Tap Removal Business
__________________
1993 Bright Aqua Metallic # 027
SBAquaLT5 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-13-2018   #5
Z51JEFF
 
Z51JEFF's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Fremont,Ca
Posts: 3,080
Default Re: Thermostat Housing Fun

Quote:
Originally Posted by Corvettes White View Post
Get a hold of this company: JERRY'S BROKEN DRILL AND TAP REMOVAL. Santa Ana, Orange County. I have used him for car parts. The aerospace industry uses him for their stuff. Reasonable costs. Small outfit. Nice man.
George
Is this the guy that uses ultrasonic something the dissolve the broken part? I read a story in HOTROD Magazine years ago about a shop in L.A. that did this type of work.
Z51JEFF is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-13-2018   #6
Corvettes White
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 477
Default Re: Thermostat Housing Fun

He has a lot of tools at his disposal. One "etches" away at the steel. One of the things he did for me was remove a #8 steel screw from a painted aluminum part. He made no promises
to no damage the paint and yet he did not damage the paint. As for being in a rag, IDK
George
Corvettes White is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-13-2018   #7
jss06c6
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Magnolia, Texas
Posts: 884
Default Re: Thermostat Housing Fun

Machine shop would be good idea. A really good TIG welder can lay in some new metal and the machine shop can recut the threads. Would be interested to hear about the broken drill and tap guy for sure!

Sent from my XT1585 using ZR-1 Net Registry mobile app
jss06c6 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:07 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright ZR-1 Net Registry 2020