T stat housing--- o-ring Idea

I'm planning a couple small things this winter to improve upon current items. Not power adders.

To my knowledge the S2 L67 had the paper t stat housing gasket through the end of 99 and in 00 GM stopped using the paper gasket . Many 00+'s that I've seen have a seepage and the fix is to use a bit of RTV on the housing.

What does everyone think about taking an S2 T stat housing and having a machinist bore a slight groove into it to facilitate adding an o ring as a gasket. For those of us that run different stats in summer and winter it theoretically would make changing even easier.

Thoughts, opinions, other ideas?

for the 63 cents it costs to buy a paper gasket, it isn't worth the hassle.

Your idea makes a lot of sense. 2 years ago, I would've really supported this. But Jason makes a good point. When I used to change my T-stat often, I would just pick up a paper gasket for a buck. Oftentimes though, I would be able to reuse the old gasket because I never used RTV - and It never leaked on me. So, in effect, I used that cheap paper gasket in exactly the same way you are suggesting with the O-ring.

However, I do not change my T-stat anymore. After I got the PowrTuner, the 160º was history, so now I run the 180º all year. The idea that a cooler T-stat doesn't work in winter is way exaggerated, imo. It was 5ºF this morning, and my car warmed right up. I have graphed data that proves a 160º and the factory 195º heat up at exactly the same rate.

Still, for those using a 160º in summer, or who don't have the ability to control their fans, this O-ring idea could make some sense. It all depends on if they are having a problem with seeping gaskets, and if they mind coughing up that dollar each time they swap.

AA wrote:

However, I do not change my T-stat anymore. After I got the PowrTuner, the 160º was history, so now I run the 180º all year. The idea that a cooler T-stat doesn't work in winter is way exaggerated, imo. It was 5ºF this morning, and my car warmed right up. I have graphed data that proves a 160º and the factory 195º heat up at exactly the same rate.

It will work perfectly fine,until you start going down the road...i even tried putting card board in front of my radiator...but untill i change stats,i finally had working heat while cruising down the road.

I haven't found a need to use a 160 in the summer. Similar to the electric wp on the car. It's more of a because it is possible than a true need for me.

Seemed like something others may have though about as well.