[Shotimes] T'stat o-ring p/n?

[James F. Ryan III]

>Why a $25 t'stat
> can't last longer than a set of tires is beyond my comprehension.

Like Leigh said, dissimilar metals.  The iron block, Aluminum heads, water,
glycol, AND electric current - that's alot of chemistry going on there.  The
t-stat just happens to be the smallest/weakest link or the "sacrificial
lamb".

(Boat owners attach Magnesium blocks all over their boats as sacrificial
lambs.  The Magnesium blocks are wired so that a trickle current flows
through them.  The Magnesium gets eaten away rather than more expensive
metal parts like the propeller, etc.)

Do other cars with Aluminum heads/iron blocks have the same "problem" with
their t-stat?  If they don't, then something else must be getting eaten
away....something alot more expensive than a $25 t-stat?

One of my Fiero's that I had during college had the 2.5L 4-cyl.  That engine
had the easiest t-stat to change ever.  The t-stat housing stuck out from
the top of the engine (probably so it would be the highest point in the
cooling system) and had a "radiator"-like cap on it.  No tools needed.
Remove cap, pull out old, drop in new, replace cap.  10 seconds max.
Unfortunately the iron block/iron head did not require frequent t-stat
changes.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Alan Fanning" <Awfanning@earthlink.net>
To: "SHOtimes" <shotimes@autox.team.net>
Sent: Sunday, January 23, 2005 1:12 AM
Subject: [Shotimes] T'stat o-ring p/n?


> It's been a few years (but not very many miles) since I last replaced the
> t'stat on my '91 SHO. It now appears to have given up the ghost based on
the
> fact that the temp gage indicates the car is running cold.  Why a $25
t'stat
> can't last longer than a set of tires is beyond my comprehension.
>
> Anyway, I've got a RobertShaw t'stat I think I'll try - but it needs an
> o-ring gasket to seal it to the housing. Anybody know if this is available
> aftermarket and by what mfg'r?
>
>     Alan
> _______________________________________________
> Shotimes mailing list
> Shotimes@autox.team.net
> http://www.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shotimes