LT5 Thermostat Housing - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

G2Garrettson · 09-25-2015

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 · 09-25-2015

Jerry might have one. jerrysgaskets.com

Scrrem · 09-25-2015

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 · 09-25-2015

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 · 09-25-2015

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 · 09-25-2015

Quote:

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 · 09-25-2015

Anyone look into 3D printing for this?

GOLDCYLON · 09-25-2015

Quote:

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 · 09-25-2015

Quote:

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?

efnfast · 09-25-2015

Why can't Carter make these? Carter?

09-25-2015	#1
G2Garrettson Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 1	LT5 Thermostat Housing 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.

09-25-2015	#2
efnfast Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Dunbarton NH Posts: 7,486	Re: LT5 Thermostat Housing Jerry might have one. jerrysgaskets.com

09-25-2015	#3
Scrrem Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Alexandria, Virginia Posts: 1,467	Re: LT5 Thermostat Housing 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 __________________ 1990 Bright Red Coupe #608 380 Stroker, Ported Heads/Intake/Housings/TB Haibeck Secondary Delete Chip / Pete's Cams George Braml Intake / FIC Injectors Coated SW Headers / Corsa Bill Boudreau B/B ZF6 / Viper 4.10 gears Ron Davis Radiator Pioneer AVIC-Z140BH NAV Fikse FM5's 285 / 335 / C6 Brakes WAZOO Member

09-25-2015	#4
WVZR-1 Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,890	Re: LT5 Thermostat Housing 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. Last edited by WVZR-1; 09-25-2015 at 08:48 AM.

09-25-2015	#5
A26B Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Arcadia,OK Posts: 3,394	Re: LT5 Thermostat Housing 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. __________________ 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. Last edited by A26B; 09-25-2015 at 10:01 AM.*

09-25-2015	#7
XfireZ51 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chicagoland, IL Posts: 9,708	Re: LT5 Thermostat Housing Anyone look into 3D printing for this? __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Former Membership Chairman Former ZR-1 Registry - BOD 1972 Corvette 4speed base Coupe SOLD long time ago 1984 Corvette Z-51/4+3 SOLD 1992 Corvette ZR-1 Aqua/Gray #474 SOLD 1992 Corvette ZR-1 Black Rose/Cognac #458 2014 Honda VFR Interceptor DX

09-25-2015	#10
efnfast Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Dunbarton NH Posts: 7,486	Re: LT5 Thermostat Housing Why can't Carter make these? Carter?

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