nik1703

I go to autozone today and pick up a replacement t-stat for my 98' camaro (with an 00' vette motor)

Here is the replacement, it looks like a normal tstat, one unit:




I pull out the housing and the spring pops out of the housing. It looks like the tstat is built in to the housing and there is no way i can install what i bought.




What's going on here? Help would be appreciated!

parks450

iTrader: (17)

ITs a whole unit. Did you tell them its for the vette motor? Some of the gen 3 truck motors have them. Tell them you need the whole unit water neck and everything

nik1703

yeah, i got the t-stat for the vette motor.

nik1703

that doesnt sound right. you should be able to replace just the t-stat without having to replace the neck and the housing.

Whiteaw57

iTrader: (2)

nope. You must have used the water pump from the original motor in 98

vettenuts

iTrader: (4)

First, your second photo has the thermostat missing. Second, does the new one have tabs on it? If so, itmay be designed to fit into the original housing.

Whiteaw57

iTrader: (2)

he said the spring and all popped out.

Whiteaw57

iTrader: (2)

If I were you Id try to get a waterneck for a vette or GTO. LS1 tstats are like 20 dollars more expensive due to having the housing built in

nik1703

ok, so what do i need to buy? 98' ls1 t-stat?

Whiteaw57

iTrader: (2)

yes you either need the 98 camaro tstat, or the right waterneck to go with your current tsat you bought for the vette

nik1703

thanks guys

2xLS1

iTrader: (25)

The knowlege base here is getting pretty pathetic. The t-stat they sold you is for a 04 and newer water pump. Separate housing and t-stat. Even if you got the housing for it it will not work in 03 and older water pumps. 97-03 water pumps used the housing and t-stat, all one piece design. Likewise it will not work in a 04 and newer waterpump. The water pumps will interchange between any year gen 3 engine so it is best to know the year water pump you are purchasing a t-stat for. For the older style, Oreillys has them under a Murray brand 160* Pt# 37960, 180* Pt# 37980 and 187* Pt# 37987.

Whiteaw57

iTrader: (2)

well boys we can hang it up. Just pm 2xLS1 from now on.

nik1703

Okay problem, I went back to the parts store. 98-02 LS1 motors all have the same part number, even the 05 GTO and 05 vettes (6 liter) had the same part number. This was pepboys.

what do i need to buy? or was pepboys just wrong?

trans_am7935

iTrader: (15)

the LS2 pump is very similar to the LS1 but with a shorter pulley on it, so they use the same t-stat housing. or you can get a performace one from one of the sponsors here, like the WS6Store

02SOMLS1WS6

That made me LOL, great quote.

nik1703

Okay, problem solved. I went to autozone and they got me the correct part. It's a t-stat built in to a housing and it was $21 dollars. Pepboys parts catalog is WRONG, to anyone going to pepboys for the old style t-stat. Don't go there.

Here is the correct part:

sjsingle1

iTrader: (1)

did you get a 180...160....or the stock 187?

2xLS1

iTrader: (25)

How about just quit giving wrong advise.

nik1703

stock temp. whatever that is