(This is in a '97 v6 3.8) So I'm replacing my thermostat, can't get any easier, but I was talking with the guy at autozone when I went to buy it and he was saying that I should buy an oem tstat from a dealer, because aftermarket ones have a clearance issue that causes overheating. It seems completely illogical to me that someone would make a part with different clearance specs than the manufacturer parts. My skepticism was somewhat increased by the fact that the autozone I went to was right next to a chevy dealership, and he was pushing their products, which tend to have a much higher mark-up. I'm aware that you can get other brand oem spec parts, but was wondering if anyone has encountered an issue with the clearance on their thermostat, and if so what brand?

 

This is news to me. I have a failsafe 180 non GM thremostat in my 96 3.8. Its been in there 2 years and 30K miles. Also I have never read a post from someone saying there is an issue with any make thremostat.

 

One reason I dont shop at Autozone... They often dont know what the duck they are talking about. Any Tstat that is available for any given engine will be made to the exact OEM specs as far as fit goes. They may improve the design by adding a failsafe or a bleed valve but the fit is going to be OEM.

Massey

P.S. Shop at Advance or O'Reilly next time.

 

yeah autozone always has a staff made of a buncha kumquats ... always

car nOObs

 

Yeah, that's what I figured. I ended up just buying it anyway, and the only difference I can see is it's a tiny bit longer than the old one (about the width of the metal flange), but it's the bottom section, so it wouldn't even affect anything since it just goes into the engine. Thanks for confirming my suspicions. I'd go somewhere else for parts, but autozone is the only parts store within like 10 miles of where I live >.<

edit: There's actually an O'Reilly's like 8 minutes from my house on some back street I didn't know about. Guess I'll be going there from now on.

 

becareful buying those cheap thermastats from autozone. The cheap thermastats dont last long and can get stuck open. a buddy of mine wont buy parts from them because they are cheap quality. I just had a thermastat from the go and its only 2 months old. your best to get one from O'reilly's or Napa. but thats just my exsperince and my buddys who is a mechanic.