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

 

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

 

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

It's just an OE Replacement.

 

I have a lingenfelter 160 stat. My temps run 175-184. Never had **** stick closed or open. I have gauges and i use them.

 

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.

 

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

 

FFS replace your t-stat already.....

 

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...