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Does anyone make an original style thermostat housing(for a big block)? The parts houses have one made by Dorman but it's not correct.
I thought I had a leak at the gasket but after many attempts (with different sealers and gaskets and making sure that everything was clean and straight), I could not stop it from weeping a drop after sitting for a day. I blasted the housing clean of all paint and residue. With a couple of steel plates and rubber gaskets I pressurized the housing and put it in water. After a half hour or so, I did get a tiny bubble. The housing is pitted some. I looked at a few other used ones that were pitted similarly. I'm gonna try coating the area with epoxy but I'd sure like to get a new one. I know there are billet aluminum housings but the bases are really thick. I know the chrome ones have a reputation for leaking. I've checked many sources but I can't find an original style housing.

I do not know of new ones like factory either, I pick then up used where ever I can used. Even JB welded pit's to save them with success.

Thanks Andy....I used JBweld too. We'll see what happens

Ron

I know some people are going to cringe at this, but I use a half a bottle of Bars leaks in any engine I want to keep clean. It prevents weepage that stain purty engines.

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Here is our original and one I got from the local Chrysler dealer. After hearing about leaks I'm wondering what to do? The original one is very pitted around where the hose slips on. Something I noticed about the aftermarket neck is the thermostat will be loose in the recessed lip. The diameter of the cutout for it is fine but the depth is deeper allowing it to wiggle. Would this be an issue?

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In the first picture you see how the thermostat drops down deeper than it does on the original. Is this an issue?

I got a small bucket full cause every time I would see a nice one for sale cheap I would grab it. Might let one or two go if you really need a good used one. Assuming I can find them..............

On the pitting I used Belzona (basically same as JB Weld) many years ago. Works just fine. Mine did not have any holes though just pitting.

The one on the left is the one you got from Chrysler? That thing is "sad"! I would come up with right one, they have to out there!

Racer Brown Wrote:The one on the left is the one you got from Chrysler? That thing is "sad"! I would come up with right one, they have to out there!

That part may fit a more modern car, that's why they offer it.

To give an example, Chrysler sells a pilot bearing to use when putting a manual trans behind a crankshaft designed for an automatic motor. That bearing also fits a new Challenger with a manual transmission.

Racer Brown Wrote:The one on the left is the one you got from Chrysler? That thing is "sad"! I would come up with right one, they have to out there!

That is an aftermarket piece that is sold through a local dealer who carries a lot of resto parts. It's NOT a Chrysler reproduced part.