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Thermostat Housings

khryslerkid

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I didn't have an original housing when I built this engine so I used a MP one. I sanded off the contact area to make sure the gasket had grip, used a Fel-Pro gasket. 1k miles and it started to leak. Snugged the bolts just a scosh and just as I knew it would do, it made it worse. Even squeezed the gasket out just a bit.
20190728_103906.jpg


So I'm leaning toward the O-ring style (hoping the surface area on the pump housing is in good shape) but I'm not liking the cost. The GM ones are half the cost by the same manufacturers. I guess it's the Mopar thing.
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So I guess I'm just fishing for what's out there and what the populist are useing. I want to hit a car show this coming weekend so I don't want to fool around too long on this. TIA
 
Mancini Billet. Tried the chrome leaker, nothing but heartache. Mancini overpriced but has never leaked. About ten years now. Don’t forget the Stant SuperStat 180 while in there.
 
Personally, I would put a WTB ad for a stock one out of someones "junk" pile.

I got a reply the next day for stock original lower ball joint hardware on this forum.
 
Dennis recommended that mancini part to me a couple of years ago. Glad I took his advice. Worth every penny.
 
Mancini Billet. Tried the chrome leaker, nothing but heartache. Mancini overpriced but has never leaked. About ten years now. Don’t forget the Stant SuperStat 180 while in there.

Thanks Dennis. It's kind if wgar I heard about the chrome one before I bought one. I figured it was the chrome being in the surface area so I flat sanded it. Looks like it warping instead. I have the 180 ST and it's worked flawlessly.

I wonder if the housing surface was square....or the cheap material just expanded through time due to hot/cold......Is the housing mating surface pit free and clean?

I use this on the gasket....let it set for 24 hours...

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p...MIyaWi_fbX4wIVUdbACh1q4QsvEAQYASABEgIpT_D_BwE

Thanks Justin for the reply. I know the pump housing surface was good or I wouldn't have used it. Don't remember if it was perfect as it would have to be for a O-ring type housing. I'll probably tear it apart late today or tomorrow. I'm pretty sure the one I have is warping causing the leak.

I've used the Permatex gasket maker on my aluminium valve covers and it's the best if you follow the directions. I'll consider the sealer you posted.

Personally, I would put a WTB ad for a stock one out of someones "junk" pile.

I got a reply the next day for stock original lower ball joint hardware on this forum.

Thanks Jim. I tried to find an original at Carslile that year and was really surprised that there wasn't one to be found! I found one at a local swap meet but the neck was so pitted I was afraid to use it.
 
Thanks Dennis. It's kind if wgar I heard about the chrome one before I bought one. I figured it was the chrome being in the surface area so I flat sanded it. Looks like it warping instead. I have the 180 ST and it's worked flawlessly.



Thanks Justin for the reply. I know the pump housing surface was good or I wouldn't have used it. Don't remember if it was perfect as it would have to be for a O-ring type housing. I'll probably tear it apart late today or tomorrow. I'm pretty sure the one I have is warping causing the leak.

I've used the Permatex gasket maker on my aluminium valve covers and it's the best if you follow the directions. I'll consider the sealer you posted.



Thanks Jim. I tried to find an original at Carslile that year and was really surprised that there wasn't one to be found! I found one at a local swap meet but the neck was so pitted I was afraid to use it.
Report back the fix.....

You would be hard pressed to find a viable used one......NOS would be ideal but a challenge to find as well...You could ask AMS obsolete to see if they have one....Your chances are better being an early model B body versus 68 and above....
 
Report back the fix.....

You would be hard pressed to find a viable used one......NOS would be ideal but a challenge to find as well...You could ask AMS obsolete to see if they have one....Your chances are better being an early model B body versus 68 and above....

Will do.

Something changed after the '68. I noticed looking up the housings. Now I'm curious.
 
I always put just a thin, cant stress thin enough, coat of Permatex black sealer on both sides of the gasket, torque to spec, let sit for 24 hours, then off you go! I have not had a leak yet and I am using aftermarket housing.
 
When my chrome housing was leaking and I removed it and put it on a flat surface it was so bent I knew now why it leaked. I went to the speed shop and picked out the one that looked like it was billet and not cast. I haven't had a leak since. The chrome ones look pretty but don't do the job.
 
Tony’s parts makes reproductions that look right.
1966 and older are the iron type with angled forward hose connection. 1967 to early 70’s are aluminum with straight hose connection. Somewhere in mid 70 went to iron with a thicker base.

A Chevy t-stat housing doesn’t have the ring cut in the housing for the t-stat to sit in, they cut the housing on those. So shale and size is the same but won’t work.
 
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I use thin layer of clear RTV.
Fixes any irregularities
 
Should be no problem to put on a mill or lathe to make it flat though?? I'm asking.
 
B73EFD99-D366-409A-BF7A-DFBAECD86DA8.jpeg
Tony’s parts makes reproductions that look right.
1966 and older are the iron type with angled forward hose connection. 1967 to early 70’s are aluminum with straighto hose connection. Somewhere in mid 70 went to iron with a thicker base.

A Chevy t-stat housing doesn’t have the ring cut in the housing for the t-stat to sit in, they cut the housing on those. So shale and size is the same but won’t work.
^^This^^
And some Permatex
 
I installed a Billet Specialties black anodized o-ring housing about two years ago. Scuffed it down, painted it orange, never looked back.
 
O ringed housings are the very best.
 
I went through the same leaking problems a few years back. First a stock one, then the chrome. Tried filing the surface and everything up to double gaskets and sealants. Still minute leakage. Went with the O-ring Billet one and the problem went away. Only wish I found it sooner! Good luck!:)
 
You can find them on eBay for 35 bucks or so.
 
I always put just a thin, cant stress thin enough, coat of Permatex black sealer on both sides of the gasket, torque to spec, let sit for 24 hours, then off you go! I have not had a leak yet and I am using aftermarket housing.
I did the same on mine and 4 years no leaks.
 
One other thing to look out for is the hole clearance. The factory bolts are only a couple thousands shorter than the hole is deep. Sounds like you had room to snug it up. I had put one together and I could not get it to stop weeping. Pulled it apart a couple times, then checked the bolt to hole depth, ran a tap to clean the holes out and checked that I had clearance. Put it back together and it sealed perfectly.
 
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