Thermostat bolt broken
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 78
Likes: 1
From: Texas
Thermostat bolt broken
I overtorqued the lower tstat bolt and managed to shear it off when removing it. There is a portion of the bolt left in the housing that is sticking out, probably about 1/8". If tried to remove it with vice grips and a punch & hammer, after pb blaster was applied. Still haven't removed it. I may try and easy out next. Does anyone have any other suggestions to remove this?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,572
Likes: 9
From: Jackson Tn
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
you can get a brand new water pump for $140. 
I just checked Advanced Auto and they have a new one for $120. Swap it out and be done with it.
I just checked Advanced Auto and they have a new one for $120. Swap it out and be done with it.
Last edited by printmanjackson; Apr 12, 2012 at 01:44 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,100
Likes: 17
From: Somers, CT and Clermont, FL
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
To me, it seems like an easy challenge to keep $120 or more in your pocket.
What did you end up doing to solve the problem?
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 78
Likes: 1
From: Texas
The broken screw was completely swaged in there and I couldn't get it out with the tools I had so I just bought a new water pump. I tried pb blaster, vice grips, pin and hammer, welding a nut (i'm a beginner welder) once I pulled the pump. The new water pump was $110 off amazon. Good luck.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,163
Likes: 4
From: Concord California
If your mileage is around 50k to 65k, just replace the water pump. The effort to drill and tap will take more time and money. If your around the mileage I've stated, you will have to replace it anyway, it is very easy to replace the water pump on a LS1. I even posted a trick to help hold the gasket in place in the forum (General).. Put a rubber band on all three of the bolts and install the gasket on, the screws spread out and hold the gasket in place just prior to bolting it up to the block.. I know it will make sence when your doing it.
