I just got the one from fiero store and am not very happy with it. The plate that the bolts go through is thin steel as opposed to the heavy duty cast iron on the OEM one. When I began to fill my coolant, it had a big leak from under the thermo housing. Upon removal, I discovered the ears of the mounting plate were bent from tightening the bolts. I did not notice this difference between the two designs initially.

I found one on ebay OEM for a 1984 (mine is a 1987) from the picture it looks the same as mine, just wanted to check with you guys to see if there was a diff?

Until then I will probably just use my old one as it has never given me any problems, its just heavily pitted and corroding, so I thought I would replace it...

I cannot say for certain but I am pretty sure that they are the same on all years 4cyl and the same on all years 6cyl fieros. Hopefully someone will say for certain. When buying it, with shipping it should cost you $20 or less. So worst case scenario you are out a few bucks.

Ok, the guy on ebay wants $29.95 + $9.95 S&H.... I think I will post in the mall here once I find out if there is any difference in the housings.

The mounting flange was sheet steel on the old one on my 88 duke, and the replacement I got (a used one from the Fiero Factory) also had a sheet steel flange. As with valve covers, you are not supposed to over-tighten the mounting bolts. There should be an o-ring used where it fits to the head. I couldn't find a specific replacement for the o-ring, so I used one from a generic o-ring set I got at Pep Boys. I also used RTV on it.

quote Originally posted by TopNotch: The mounting flange was sheet steel on the old one on my 88 duke, and the replacement I got (a used one from the Fiero Factory) also had a sheet steel flange. As with valve covers, you are not supposed to over-tighten the mounting bolts. There should be an o-ring used where it fits to the head. I couldn't find a specific replacement for the o-ring, so I used one from a generic o-ring set I got at Pep Boys. I also used RTV on it.

Ah, the O ring explains a lot, at least for my issue with the sheet steel flange... Since my housing I was replacing had a flat solid thick mounting flange and used a paper gasket, I thought it would use the same thermostat housing gasket they looked up for me at the parts store...

I also saw this thread so I thought it would be fine.

I wound up straightening the flanges on the FS housing and making a gasket from 1/8" cork with "the right stuff" on both sides. This time I did not tighten as much so I will see how it goes....

Will be starting it up for the first time in a couple months here in a few minutes to get the coolant and oil cycled and top off fluids.

Here's an interesting Tstat housing read:
http://realfierotech.com/ph...pic.php?f=14&t=16902

If you look really close you can get a part number off it.

[This message has been edited by KurtAKX (edited 12-18-2009).]

quote Originally posted by KurtAKX: Here's an interesting Tstat housing read: http://realfierotech.com/ph...pic.php?f=14&t=16902 If you look really close you can get a part number off it.

Sweet, I'm reading it now and liking it... those pictures perfectly show the comparison between my original and the one I got from the FS.

Thanks.... still reading...

BTW, I just wrapped up for another night of work on the Fiero... got the fluids topped off, and started it up... good to hear it again! Tomorrow I will complete the coolant fill procedure...

[This message has been edited by perceptionist (edited 12-18-2009).]