Thermostat Housing Choices: Style A or B?

[Dibbons]

I don't believe either one is the factory style for this 1972 340 factory intake manifold, but both will physically bolt on. The older style (painted white) is a heavy metal (cast iron) and a little pitted here and there, but cleaned up best I could. The other is a lighter metal (aluminum?) and brand new in the box. The new one has an odd cut-out which could be either a machined boss for some kind of switch or maybe it is some kind of bleeder passage for the thermostat. Don't know. The old one has a lip on the end of the longer snout for the hose and the newer one has a smooth, shorter, straight snout.

Anyhow, which one would you choose? Of course, the upper radiator hose may end up to be the deciding factor. Thank you.

 

[WileE]

Old, left. But, two important factors. The straightness of the flange, and the smoothness of the hose lip.

 

[RemCharger]

The white one is from a 66- down

 

[Don Frelier]

The white one is from a 66- down

And it looks pretty rough to me, I think it's likely this one will leak between the metal and the hose.

 

[Sinitro]

The right one is the Napa OE replacement, I have used several of these without any issues..

Just my $0.02...

 

[w.Hudson]

Is the one on the left aluminum ?

 

[WileE]

And it looks pretty rough to me, I think it's likely this one will leak between the metal and the hose.

Yep, and that's why it needs to be straightedged on the flange and finessed on the hose lip.

 

[Don Frelier]

Yep, and that's why it needs to be straightedged on the flange and finessed on the hose lip.

I would try and find a better one.

 

[Dibbons]

s the one on the left aluminum

I explained that in post #1: "The older style (painted white) is a heavy metal (cast iron)"

 

[Darter6]

I run one of the aftermarket on my 318. I didn't like that it didn't have a lip on it to help retain the hose.
I had fears the hose would pop off. I cut a few grooves to hold the hose and make the clamping secure.
Many said they are just fine as is.