Thermostat trick...?

[bucket]

i bought a thermostat for my "gwapo" for Christmas..
i have never worked on an LT1 before, do i need to drain fluids before installing?
merry Christmas...

 

[gmjunkie]

i bought a thermostat for my "gwapo" for Christmas..
i have never worked on an LT1 before, do i need to drain fluids before installing?
merry Christmas...

Yes,or you'll kill all the cats in the neighborhood!!

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

do i need to drain fluids before installing?

Depends on the amount of beer you're had.

 

[93Rubie]

Yes,or you'll kill all the cats in the neighborhood!!

Nah, all the newer coolant has bittering agents in it. NOT like it used to be nice and sweet, hmm might explain a few things about me. J/K

 

[bucket]

Yes,or you'll kill all the cats in the neighborhood!!

.

OK then part "B"
im guessing that the thermostst is lower than the coolant tank mounted on the firewall...
and it will empty it's contents upon removal of said thermostat..??
well that sucks
in a parking garage in los angeles with no jack and no catch pan am i at the mercy of hired wrences,...again?
6 pack

 

[vett boy]

Yes,or you'll kill all the cats in the neighborhood!!

SO ? I haven't seen a cat in five years.

 

[air1jpg]

Soon after I bought my vette in Feb of 2007, I discovered that my vette didn't have a thermostat! ad I was able to install a new thermostat and gasket with out draining the radiator fluid out. A little bit spilled out when we took the thermostat housing loose though, but it wasn't a big deal.

 

[bucket]

Soon after I bought my vette in Feb of 2007, I discovered that my vette didn't have a thermostat! ad I was able to install a new thermostat and gasket with out draining the radiator fluid out. A little bit spilled out when we took the thermostat housing loose though, but it wasn't a big deal.

..

i wuz hopeing for a simple answer like this one..lol...
i am gonna mis my green vette w:coolhen i trade up...sigh

 

[Hib Halverson]

Whether or not you need to drain all the coolant before you change the thermostat sort of depends on when the last time the coolant was changed.

If it's been over 3yrs or 36,000 miles, I'd drain and flush the system when you change the 'stat.

Drain the radiator and drain the block by pulling the knock sensors out. Close the radiator drain and flush the system a bit then replace the KSes, replace the thermostat and refill the system with whatever coolant mix you like to use.

 

[bucket]

everything is clean and correct ,...on the fluids anyway..

 

[helphos]

Thermostat change- To drain or not to Drain, that is...

The Haynes manual says to drain the radiator. With all the paranoia surrounding the optispark system, you might consider that aspect of the job.
However, you can still do it yourself with an aluminum turkey roasting pan and the car's jack. If the pan wasn't previously used for roasting a turkey you can reuse the fluid that comes out.

The bigger question is, what temp of thermostat should you put in. I've heard numerous people say that a 160 is hot enough, but I tend to trust GM which puts in a 180 (I think) from the factory. Something to think about.

Paul

 

[Tuna]

The 'stat is in a good location to get coolant fluid on the OptiSpark - which ain't good on a '92 with the early edition OptiSpark. If it were me, I'd drain some coolant first just to be safe.

You also need to know where the coolant bleed valve is and be prepared to 'burp' the system for air bubbles after replacing the 'stat and adding coolant.

 

[bucket]

The Haynes manual says to drain the radiator. With all the paranoia surrounding the optispark system, you might consider that aspect of the job.
However, you can still do it yourself with an aluminum turkey roasting pan and the car's jack. If the pan wasn't previously used for roasting a turkey you can reuse the fluid that comes out.

The bigger question is, what temp of thermostat should you put in. I've heard numerous people say that a 160 is hot enough, but I tend to trust GM which puts in a 180 (I think) from the factory. Something to think about.

Paul

.

im going 160...i dont think it will run too cool here in los angeles. i have an adjustable thermostat also and will probably bypass the TB heater too..just in time to trade for a new one....lol

 

[roger longman]

I cannot understand why anyone would put in a lower temperature thermostat. It makes no sense whatsoever. Roger.

 

[joshwilson3]

I'd drain it. Don't want to get coolant on the Opti if you have one.

 

[bucket]

I cannot understand why anyone would put in a lower temperature thermostat. It makes no sense whatsoever. Roger.

.

the way it runs when it's cold is a totaly different bird from when it's warmed up...
:cool

 

[bucket]

ok i'll drain it...
how about from the throtle body hose?
..the end of it is well away from the opti spark and there is no crawling under....
will it work?

 

[Curious George]

I cannot understand why anyone would put in a lower temperature thermostat. It makes no sense whatsoever. Roger.

Most people do it because somebody else did it. Monkey see, monkey do. For certain racing applications, I can see the logic in it. A thermostat controls the minimal temperature range and the cooling fans control the upper temperature range of the cooling system. The LT1 was designed to run in the 190~195* range.

CG

 

[damoroso]

First your engine has to run at temp to run correctly. What ever thermostat GM calls for would the be correct temp, assuming the rest of the cooling system is in good shape. Second, all you have to do is make sure your coolant level is below what ever it is your pulling out (thermostat, temp sensor, etc) and it won't leak much at all. Typically, the coolant level is at or below the thermostat in a cold engine. If your surge tank is above the thermostat, you could pinch the return hose off, and drain just enough to get the level in the radiator below the thermostat and you won't have a mess.

 

[bucket]

on other small blocks i just pull the top radiator hose, no big deal....
as far as operating temp goes, GM is smart , the high temp is how they meet smog requirements,a hot motor is an efficient motor, and has little to do with performance...cooler intake temp means more oxygen to mix equals more throttle response, it's a no harm no foul deal..