I picked up a 180 thermostat online that got here a couple days ago. Pulling out the stock thermo was cake. Problem I ran into was trying to put the new one in. It won't sit flush, when the rubber gasket is put around it. The little lip inside the housing gets in the way, if that makes sense. Trying to get it in there any which way doesn't help. It fits fine w/o the rubber gasket, but I'm of the opinion I wouldn't wanna go and leave it in there w/o that. The thermos' box has the right part number, but I'm wondering if the thermo itself is the correct one. Is there any other way I can tell? I fought with the damn thing for over an hour but it won't fit snug all the way. I can take out and put back the factory thermo over and over with no issues. So unless I'm a moron, which may very well be the case, it's not fitting the way it should.

Thanks for any help that can be provided,

-Eric

 

I have a Stant 180 thermostat which costs 4.99 from PepBoys around here (part # 29788). The gasket doesn't sit "flush" because of the small lips that are in it which connect to the stock thermostat, whereas the Stant doesnt have these.

However once its put in the housing it fits perfectly. The only thing that I can see is that you bought the wrong thermo. Mine installed in less than 5 minutes

 

Thanks, that's what I'm figuring. The part # on the box is 13788 and from what I've read that's right. But it's also a Stant...unless turboneonstore uses a diff part # than pepboys for the same thing? It wasn't til after the fact that I read on here they can be bought at chain parts stores for less than half what I paid. That'll teach me! We have a couple of pepboys around here. If I can't get theirs in, I'll know it's time to sell the car so I don't taint it with any more stupidity. [sm=smiley36.gif]

Thanks again!

-Eric

 

Stant 180: 29788 is the number. Buy that one try it.

 

both part numbers are correct, they're cross-references. if it doesn't fit properly try cutting a small notch into the gasket to allow for the nipple thing on the side of it to seat properly.

 

any issues with the 160 degree thermostats if you live where its always in the 70s and above?

 

A 160 degree should be fine in that crappy weather.[sm=smiley20.gif]

 

I dont like the 160.....too low for new england weather, but I think its too low anyways. Better off with a 180.

 

I went with a 180 too, since half the year in Utah it's pretty cold I figured 160 was too much. And btw, thanks LSP and PSI Chick. Pepboys here didn't carry the 180 but I got one elsewhere for the same price. Turns out turboneonstore must've sent me the wrong one cuz this one installed faster than it took to get the stock one out.

 

It might hurt your gas mileage (and increase emissions), if the pcm thinks the engine isn't warmed up all the way and sets a richer mixture. I think a 180 is a better choice.