Thermostat
Okay,
So Ive emptied the bus and started a general tuneup, part of which was replacing a thermostat. Fairly simple procedure until one of three studs which hold down the aluminum thermo housing twisted off in it's hole. BLAST!
The vehicle is empty of coolant and I only managed to crack the footing on the aluminum cover with the easy out bits. I finally managed to drill the bolt out and have re-tapped it for a 3/8" thread. Of course when I ordered the studs at GM they are a metric #10-1.5.
Question: will I run into issues if I tap the correct thread into my 3/8" hole? Should I be very concerned about using a certain grade of stud to tighten down my thermostat housing, or will any steel bolt do the job? GM asks $9 per stud and Ive ordered them but for future reference do I want to make certain I have the studs labelled by the factory for each application, ei: a twin stud labelled "exhaust manifold" works?
Also: Ive ordered a new top thermo housing and in my neck of the woods it will take approx 2 weeks to arrive. I have plenty of jobs to keep me busy so I dont mind the wait but should I be concerned about leaving the cooling system empty of fluid for that time? Or should I temporary everything back together and refill the system?
Sorry, we're talkin about a 92 GMC 3500 Thomas Shorty here. 6.2 Diesel.
Thanks folks,
Serge
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