Gen3 changed to plastic water pump inlet?

[hill8570]

OK, I'm a bit confused -- I've been getting a persistent small leak where my upper radiator hose goes into the inlet for the water pump (or thermostat housing...take your pick). The metal's pretty corroded, so I figured I'd just order in a new OEM one (part # 16321-03060) Just came in today, and it's a black plastic, instead of the original aluminum. Looks like it would fit OK, but seems like a pretty radical change. Engine's a 5S-FE from Japan, mfg date 5/95 (tag end of the 1995 model year run).

Did Toyota slipstream from aluminum to plastic sometime, or did both I and the parts desk screw up? Didn't think the system would even let that happen with the right VIN.

[Mister_Perkins]

It probably supersedes the previous part number at toyota. Im not positive if Thhats correct but that is what it seems like to me

[JohnGD]

Yes, like the direction of metal intake manifolds turning plastic, the inlet pipe turned ~$17 plastic too:

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=1312710

[fenixus]

my gen4 5s-fe seem to have a plastic thermostat housing (or WP outlet this is I think) as an oem stock, works fine

[hill8570]

Guess if it's good enough for the Gen4 crowd, it should work for a Gen3. Won't have to worry about corrosion this time, that's for sure. Hope they didn't use the same shit plastic they used for the radiator tanks.

Thanks, guys!

[fenixus]

hehe, good luck