BEWARE of Faulty 87290A4 Thermostat Housing sold on Amazon!

[Brentathon]

I recently purchased a supposed GLM 13230 (Mecruiser # 87290A4) on Amazon, and it's missing the hidden internal hole, and caused my 5.7 to overheat! Ughhh!!!!
This part also doesn't have the "GLM" letters cast into the housing, like the one I'm replacing, so it's suspect whether it's truly a GLM.
This $98 housing may have destroyed my engine. I ran the engine with NO water getting to the circulator pump or going through the block and heads, because of this housing.
I am quite ticked-off.

 

[racerone]

Some say-----" the bitterness of poor quality is remembered long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten "

 

[Fun Times]

Sorry to hear that and I hope it isn't that bad in the end of your testing's to come...Please know, another caution to be aware of is sometimes with GLM has been known to be nicknamed Good Luck Marine.

 

[Lou C]

I have a few GLM parts for my Cobra because frankly there is no more OEM for some items but for critical parts like manifolds I use Barr Marine and for a stat housing I use OMC or Volvo (same part). I don’t like Amazon for automotive or marine parts. I use marine engine . com for OEM and decent aftermarket where there is no more OEM. Also boats . net is similar. Amazon you never know. Depends 100% on the seller.

 

[Brentathon]

During my troubleshooting, I removed the Quicksilver thermostat and checked it on the stove (in a pot), along with a spare Sierra t-stat.
The Quicksilver opened right at 140F, and the Sierra opened closer to 150F and didn’t open as wide as the Quicksilver.

 

[Lou C]

parts that I always try to use OEM for:
thermostats
impellers
bellows
shift cables

 

[Brentathon]

parts that I always try to use OEM for:
thermostats
impellers
bellows
shift cables

Yes!…me too.
And the outdrive install gasket kit.

 

[havoc_squad]

Unless I have unique first hand knowledge of the product where I can tell genuine from non-genuine based on highly detailed photo of the actual part, I stay away from marketplaces like Amazon and E-Bay.

That typically comes into play when dealing with used discontinued parts.

If I don't know it extremely well, I stick to proven reputable parts channels online and locally.

The casual joe that doesn't know much with a part number should stay far away from E-Bay and Amazon for critical marine parts.

 

[Scott Danforth]

GLM is a will-fit component source.

will it work.....dont know
will it fit.....yes

 

[Brentathon]

I did have an issue one time, when I mixed GLM manifolds with Sierra elbows (or vise versa, I forget); there was a slight interference that prevented a good seal between the two, which wasn’t noticeable until I realized I couldn’t achieve the 25 ft lbs torque… instead, the bolts actually stretched and deformed at the threads.

 

[Lou C]

I have had good luck with Barr Marine exhaust parts but I would always check with a straightedge and feeler gauges if both the manifold & elbow sealing surfaces are flat and level to less than .003".

 

[Brentathon]

Here's a pic of my old GLM housing, and the new housing from Amazon which I believe is counterfeit; not just because it doesn't say "GLM" in the casting, or that it's missing the internal hole that allows the water from the drive to enter into the engine's circulation loop, but also there's dimensional difference between the two. Definitely different casting molds.