Notices
GM Engine & Exhaust Performance EFI | GEN I/GEN II/GEN III/GEN IV Engines |Small Block | Big Block |

5.3L T-Stat Question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 10-08-2021, 07:37 PM
  #21  
Launching!
Thread Starter
 
Rockrz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Right here
Posts: 244
Likes: 0
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
Default

the factory stock ones are the most reliable and when they do fail, they fail in the open position most of the time
Problem is... GM does not designate their T-Stat to be fail safe

I'd kinda like to hjave the assurance of knowing the t-stat is manufactured specifically as being fail safe which is why I was asking about the motorad because they do maker fail safe t-stats... problem is, I do not see where they make one for LS engines

This is very odd considering how many LS engines there are on the road.

I guess I'll just have to cut the radiator hose and use the inline t-stat housing I got from Jegs which should work out OK
Old 10-08-2021, 07:44 PM
  #22  
Launching!
Thread Starter
 
Rockrz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Right here
Posts: 244
Likes: 0
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
Default

So, where can you buy a Linkinfelter t-stat?

Maybe I need to see if they have a 190 t-stat which is my engine's stock temp

The problem I have with the housing I thinking of using is that I would be splicing my radiator hose and I keep hearing it's best to not do that since these things get under a lot of pressure
Old 10-08-2021, 09:51 PM
  #23  
TECH Apprentice
 
swathdiver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Treasure Coast of Florida
Posts: 378
Received 51 Likes on 47 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Rockrz
So, where can you buy a Linkinfelter t-stat?

Maybe I need to see if they have a 190 t-stat which is my engine's stock temp

The problem I have with the housing I thinking of using is that I would be splicing my radiator hose and I keep hearing it's best to not do that since these things get under a lot of pressure
Have seen them at Summit, Amazon and Ebay over the years.

Thermostat, 187 Degree - GM OE 89018168 - ACDelco 131-160 - Lingenfelter L310155307 174 Degree - MotoRad - 523-190
Old 10-08-2021, 10:13 PM
  #24  
Launching!
Thread Starter
 
Rockrz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Right here
Posts: 244
Likes: 0
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
Default

I found MotoRad - 523 at Amazon but it does not appear to be designated as Fail Safe.

It's just an OE Replacement.
Old 10-08-2021, 10:20 PM
  #25  
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (25)
 
terravast4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 3,124
Received 310 Likes on 226 Posts
Default

I have a lingenfelter 160 stat. My temps run 175-184. Never had **** stick closed or open. I have gauges and i use them.
The following users liked this post:
swathdiver (10-09-2021)
Old 10-08-2021, 10:46 PM
  #26  
Launching!
Thread Starter
 
Rockrz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Right here
Posts: 244
Likes: 0
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
Default

Great! Most of the time t-stats never stick and you replace them each time you service the cooling system every few years and it's all good up in the hot rod hood!

But, if it's not specifically designed to fail in the open position (fail safe) then it's entirely possible that it could fail in the closed condition causing the engine to get too hot and be damaged.

I'm interested in taking this possibility away on my vehicles just because there is a product that can do that for me.

It's just my personal preference even if I have to use the inline t-stat housing to do it.

The concept is simple... it's always better to prevent a problem before it happens versus having to clean up a problem after it happens - which is good for me cause I don't have a lot of cash laying around to be fixing problems.
Old 10-09-2021, 09:31 AM
  #27  
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (5)
 
arthursc2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 4,336
Received 1,502 Likes on 1,101 Posts
Default

So you gonna do it already or.....

millions and millions of LS engines produced and no one makes a "fail safe" t-stat: that alone ought to tell you what you need to know about the propensity LS t-stats have to fail

but you do you. It's a 20 min install. Get to it

that is of course assuming you have the cash laying around for 2 hose clamps, a razor knife and some coolant
The following 2 users liked this post by arthursc2:
swathdiver (10-10-2021), tjmath (10-09-2021)
Old 10-09-2021, 03:42 PM
  #28  
TECH Resident
 
tjmath's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Chandler, AZ
Posts: 767
Received 281 Likes on 233 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by arthursc2
So you gonna do it already or.....

millions and millions of LS engines produced and no one makes a "fail safe" t-stat: that alone ought to tell you what you need to know about the propensity LS t-stats have to fail

but you do you. It's a 20 min install. Get to it

that is of course assuming you have the cash laying around for 2 hose clamps, a razor knife and some coolant
Don't wanna break the bank @arthursc2
Old 10-09-2021, 06:35 PM
  #29  
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (4)
 
03chevytruck's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Monroe,LA
Posts: 323
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

FFS replace your t-stat already.....
The following users liked this post:
arthursc2 (10-09-2021)
Old 10-11-2021, 10:23 PM
  #30  
100% Redneck
 
RedXray's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: MAGA COUNTRY
Posts: 2,098
Received 1,334 Likes on 794 Posts
Default

I'm a Motorad 180* guy...

The most important thing to remember is they changed the water pumps in 2004 and the thermostat from the older trucks are not the same...

5.3L T-Stat Question-avtg7lh.jpg
The following users liked this post:
swathdiver (10-14-2021)
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
lxcoupe
GM Engine & Exhaust Performance
5
10-13-2016 07:31 PM
tazer1987
GM Engine & Exhaust Performance
12
08-10-2012 05:12 AM
TylerCustoms
GMT 800 & Older GM General Discussion
5
08-12-2007 06:27 PM
riddick1224
GM Engine & Exhaust Performance
1
06-12-2007 07:29 PM
BLUE'03
GM Engine & Exhaust Performance
16
05-12-2004 04:07 PM



Quick Reply: 5.3L T-Stat Question



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:34 AM.