Thermostat - Stant vs OE design?

[02FailBlazer]

I saw there was something here about the Stant 14659 thermostat being a bit different from the AC Delco design, but I can't find specifics on what the differences are and if they're important or not. Is the Stant "just different" and it doesn't matter, or is it somehow an improvement over the AC Delco design? Should I even worry about this?

 

[movietvet]

The Genuine GM 1511006 thermostat is rated at 180 degrees.

The Stant 14659 thermostat is rated at 187 degrees.

The AC Delco thermostat may be the 192 degrees but I cannot find the AC Delco part number

 

[mrrsm]

ACDelco Thermostat-S/S Pipe Combo vs. the STANT Flavor = Apples to Oranges:

Via my "Flickr-Bucket" New Trailblazer Engine Parts Album:

Packaging, Part Numbers, Box Ends, Button and Spring Thermal Expansion Component Imagery.

The Design Comparisons show why it would be impossible for these two devices to behave in any identical physical manner under Heat Load and Cooling Temperature Variances:

 

[Mooseman]

We do have an FAQ on a lot of things, including:

Best brand for new thermostat

I put a Mahle in mine and it's been good since. From the research I did at the time, they were identical to ACDelco, which doesn't seem to be available anymore on RA.

 

[02FailBlazer]

We do have an FAQ on a lot of things, including:

Best brand for new thermostat

I put a Mahle in mine and it's been good since. From the research I did at the time, they were identical to ACDelco, which doesn't seem to be available anymore on RA.

I saw the FAQ and mrrsm's information in another post, what I'm wondering is what the functional difference is between the Stant and any other thermostat? Is it better, worse, neither...? Or will any decent OEM quality thermostat be fine?

I'm only asking because I'm going to change mine out just for the sake it. Current one is "fine", OE thermostat failed and stuck closed. The OE one was replaced a few years ago after it failed but that was before I had any idea what I was doing so I'm guessing I threw the cheapest, bottom shelf POS I could find in there. I have to drain the coolant anyway to do the upper rad hose (leaking) and reservoir (close to crumbling) so I figured I'd just do it all at once and save myself the trouble later.

 

[Mooseman]

Nowadays, quality is a crapshoot. Places like Autozone and Napa source their house brands from the lowest bidder. Motto "just because it's new doesn't mean it's good" has been popular lately.

Since ACDelco seems to be NLA, I'd go with Mahle.

 

[dhanger]

I used to think NAPA was reliable, not any more? Or was it ever?

 

[Mooseman]

If you watch South Main Auto on YT, he laments about bad new parts, including from Napa. They're all affected. Their oil filters used to be made by Wix, now???

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/napa-dumping-wix-as-supplier.396622/#post-7273635

And here's what AI says about Napa T-stats:

MotoRad is the manufacturer of many NAPA brand thermostats, including the Premium line. They are also associated with manufacturing the NAPA House brand and Fail Safe thermostats, which are noted for featuring a design that fails in the open position to prevent engine overheating.

 

[dhanger]

Yeah, I just saw a video from SMA where he was lamenting about NAPA parts. Wow.