Sierra Water Shutters

[dozerII]

I'm working on my 1986 4.3 lx, Alpha, the origional water shutters were pooched and I had new ones ordered, they were
substituted for Sierra 18-2732. These are a one piece design, when I push them in the y pipe it seems to collapse them slightly, causing them to distort and then they won't close. Any one used these and had a similar problem? It almost seems like the narrow measurement on the y pipe would need to be ground a little bigger.

 

[dozerII]

Re: Sierra Water Shutters

Anyone, help

 

[r.j.dawg]

Re: Sierra Water Shutters

If it was me I would be sending them back and find a new supplier that can provide an OEM part. I have had some previous problems with Sierra parts that just "don't quite fit". Not so bad if it's a bimini bracket or something that is "non critical". Anything critical like engine parts are way too important. Pay the extra bucks.

 

[Don S]

Re: Sierra Water Shutters

The new style shutters will work, but you have to have the inside of the pipe clean of all corrosion, and the protrusions on the shutters must fit into the hole of the pipe. If they don't they will bind.
I have also had to "Grind down" the new shutters to get them to fit correctly. Stick with the original kind if you can.

 

[dozerII]

Re: Sierra Water Shutters

If it was me I would be sending them back and find a new supplier that can provide an OEM part. I have had some previous problems with Sierra parts that just "don't quite fit". Not so bad if it's a bimini bracket or something that is "non critical". Anything critical like engine parts are way too important. Pay the extra bucks.

The new style shutters will work, but you have to have the inside of the pipe clean of all corrosion, and the protrusions on the shutters must fit into the hole of the pipe. If they don't they will bind.
I have also had to "Grind down" the new shutters to get them to fit correctly. Stick with the original kind if you can.

Thanks RJ and Don, I will try to source the OEM ones and send these back.
Glen

 

[dozerII]

Re: Sierra Water Shutters

I had to repost after reading your replys, I went out and looked at the Sierra shutters and the y-pipe, there was a lot of carbon build up and it looked like a rough casting. I took my Dremel with a course sanding drum and cleaned all the carbon off, this let me see the rough casting area where the shutters had to seat. After taking off a few thou on the flat areas the shutters popped right in and work like a charm.

 

[r.j.dawg]

Re: Sierra Water Shutters

Glad to hear it dozer. The Sierra stuff sometimes takes a bit of tweaking. Personally I gave up on them a couple of years ago and just get genuine OEM but it's great you made it work.