'87 GN thermostat troubles

[Snorman]

i had the stock thermostat and housing in my car when i changed it out and the housing popped right out for me...so easy that i still use that same housing for the new thermo and no problems whatsoever...

Same here. I swapped in a 160 stat when I pulled out the intercooler to clean it last Saturday. I figured since everything was already out of the way, it would be a snap. It was. The hardest part was getting the upper rad hose to release it's vise-like grip on the housing.
S.

 

[scottyb]

Originally posted by gnpete
Can someone confirm the NAPA part # for the 160degree stat that'll fit.

There was a post stating it is THM530060 put another stated it was for the NA 3.8L.

Could someone clarify.

I just called the store where I bought a 160 for an 89 TTA last November. (well it has 160 stamped on it, I never tested it). Today, they said they only stocked 180 and 192 for that car???? Maybe they discontinued the 160?

 

[terryk]

I'm look at a 530060 and it's not for a TR. It's for an NA. I've only seen the 160's for the TR's in the specialty houses.

Terry

 

[scottyb]

I got my scanmaster hooked up this weekend. The coolant temp goes up to 195, then drops (when the tstat opens)!!!

I'm pissed cause it had 160 stamped on it. It has been suggested to test it, you can bet I'll do it with a new one this weekend.

 

[tommy881]

Thermostat

Hey guys, I just leave it out, since I live in San Diego and it never really gets that cold. I would say that leaving it out anywhere it doesn't freeze over more than a 24 hour period, why bother with it?

GN with forged everything 212/212 .460/.460 Port/Polish steel heads big valves 3 angle cut, Big TE front mount, T63 turbo with 3000+stall convertor and 3.5 inch downpipe and dual 3" mandrel bent 3.5 inch Big Cat and Flow Masters, ATR drivers side header,
14" K&N, Stock MAF (1 screen), 43 pound tomco's, High Flow fuel pump. Problem is that if it is over 70 degrees after engine warms up I can't give it more than 3/4 throttle and she "Lays Down" real bad :-(. Actually, I can not give it more than 4/5 throttle ever and she lays down (even one morning when it was 48 degrees!) I have tried 2 different chips, same thing, have a thrid chip on it's way.

 

[machinegun]

The stock neck is not aluminum. It is a cheap stamped steel. They are common for rusting in place. Common problem. Clamp upper hose on, wiggle and jerk. It will come off. You really should never leave out the thermostat. The thermostat acts as a fluid restrictor as well as temp control. The coolant flowing too quickly can cause the coolant to not be able to absorb heat from the block or disppate the heat while in the rad. This essentially leaves the thermal energy in the block and heads where you do not want it. This will cause hot spots and detonation. Always run a thermo. If you have to run without then there is another problem in your system.

 

[tommy881]

Thermostat

MachineGun,

I have a 4 row aluminum radiator and a big PE Front Mount Intercooler. With the 160* theromstat in I was running 200+ degrees on an 80* day. With it out I'm running 180* on a 80* degree day. Go figure

Tommy881