edit: oops, thanks for the diameter info...

...so I could grab it from my parts guy on my way home from work without removing it from the car, first. It doesn't really matter now, since I managed to ever-so-gently twist the head off of one of the three thermostat housing cover bolts this evening.

I went really easy on them, turning only an 1/8 turn at a time, but I could feel the resistance (corrosion), and I twisted the head off the second bolt while turning it with really light pressure on a wimpy little 1/4 inch ratchet. Must have been the cold, I guess....

Anyway- I've been unsuccessful in finding the thermostat housing from an online parts house. I'm assuming that it is NLA from the dealer, and even if it was available would be out of my parts budget. Am I right?

If so, is a helicoil a reasonable fix for this part? Or alternatively, anyone have one that they would be willing to part with for a reasonable fee?

-nate

__________________
'83 MB 240D....mmm french fries
'86 VW QSW....snowmobile