Is there any way to tell what year engine a car has? I have a 2000 Formula that I thought had a 2000 LS1 in it. I have tried twice to install a 160 Stat and it won't fit in the block. I know they say that the late 02's were different, I was just curious if maybe somebody swapped out the engine and how could I tell.

 

The stat doesnt go in the engine, it mounts on the water pump. Im assuming that is what you meant. I have heard that some stats wont fit. I have never run into that problem though. Where did you get the car from??

 

I bought the car off of a guy in Georgia. I just found out recently that it had been wrecked. I could understand if it was one stat that wouldn't fit, but WS6 store sent me another one and it doesn't fit. Just trying to figure this thing out.

 

Sounds like you got one for the wrong year... I have an LS1 in my 2000 Trans Am, and my 160* stat slipped right in. Look for a number at the bottom front edge of the passnger side head, just below the oil fill. Mine says 241, which are the heads installed at the end of the 2000 model year for an LS1. This number can tell you approximately when the LS1 was assembled.

 

I found this number right under the oil fill 9321X0120856. It's etched into the metal. Does that mean anything?

 

Late 02 cars received the t-stat which reuses the housing. I'm guessing thats what you need. They should carry the newer style t-stats.