So today I finally dragged myself out to the cathouse and while trying to figure out my underhood wiring chaos (specifically trying to locate the solenoid fusible link) I decided to digress and put in my ““Robert Shaw” style thermostat Track Boss 180 degree. It’s been running with a standard 160 degree stat since I bought it (9/23). Never paid much attention to the outlet housing before but taking it off I can see it is an aftermarket chrome piece - topside looks fine, but Oh My what a mess on the block mating surface. Open to suggestions for a “good” aftermarket repro. WCCC is “out of stock”. I’m guessing a quality OEM would be prohibitively expensive (if found). Need something cause this pup ain’t sealing.
I pitched a crusty pitted OEM one and a chrome one just like the one you posted. I bought a billet Aeroflow unit in black and it looks great. It’s been on my stock Cleveland for a while now and will move one day to my 393 Cleveland.
Good to know, I did find the item (AF64-2021BLK). $80 bucks will be a little harder to justify than NPD’s $15; but I’m sure it’s a quality piece. I don’t see how to buy it on their website, just the description.
I did check Rock Auto, they do have it, a MOTORAD CH2035 for $15.40; NPD carries FourSeasons 84858 for $14.91. They look pretty similar, advantage for me with NPD is they are 1/2 hour away and saves me shipping. Let’s hope it seals. I did notice the replacement did NOT have the grove cut into it like the one I took off, and I wasn’t sure that was actually supposed to be there on the housing - thought only the block.
Hi, well FWIW i suppose to each his own, but there’s really no need to over-spend or complicate for this project. So after I got rid of the old nasty OG housing and wanting to install the new thermostat, this is what I did with my 302 on the ‘68:
I purchased this housing, (links below) (bad stock photo but nice in person) threw away the included thin, cheap gasket and bought a much higher quality FEL-PRO gasket both from AMZN. I 1st clear coated the aluminum housing so that my fresh polished finish would not oxidize, then used an exacto knife to trim around and perfect the fitment of the fel-pro gasket to my new housing. I removed the upper plug because i have a temp gauge probe in that port but it came with a nice plug.
Next installed everything with some of my favorite Permatex ultra black RTV, lightly rubbed & coated on both sides of the new gasket, wrenched it in place & let it all sit and cure overnite before refilling the cooling system and testing. everything 1st time out the gate is 100% perfect no leaks and end result looks good too.
Therein lies my failure point (I did goop ‘er up with Ultra Black). I thought to let it dry overnight, but I’m a kind of impetuous guy so I just filled ‘er up - instant leakage. I will likely be a little more suave in my next go roun’ with the new housing; but I don’t regret replacing that pitted mess.
Yessir, “instant leakage” years back it only took once, but that is exactly how i learned the hard way to wait until the next day. never had a leak since.
Nothing wrong with the factory stamped steel unit as long as it’s serviceable. Motorad/4 Seasons/Dorman offer a cast iron replacement for under $15 on Amazon.
I haven’t used a chrome o-ring unit since the early 90s. One experience with those teaches you they’re all garbage.
I like to use a grey silicone, motorcraft makes a version for diesels and its awesome. I use it for everything and you can put fluids to it shortly after install and be good to go.
Ive never cared too much for permatex, while it works Ive always found it takes forever to cure and doesnt have the longevity I would prefer.
