Cheap Thermostat Housings... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

gcburdic · 01-20-2009, 09:20 PM

Well,

I decided that I needed to replace the thermostat housing because I kept seeing antifreeze on my Edelbrock manifold after I let her sit for awhile...seemed as if the housing had a small crack in it, so after removal...this is what I found...looks like corrosion???...right??....
SO...what causes this and what housing should I order that will hold up better???...any ideas are appreciated...Thanks

mycool72 · 01-20-2009, 09:27 PM

That o-ring is soaked, was it like that when you took it off? Not sure about the corrosion, how old is your radiator and motor?

BlindRonin · 01-20-2009, 09:42 PM

I dont know if that looks like corosion as much as deposits of something on the cooler locations of the housing? have you removed any of it yet to see what it looks like underneath? Also that housing looks okay, but the o-ring might have failed so if you find a higher rated oring or maybe use some standard sealent instead i dont see anything wrong with it unless the sealing surface is warped.

just my .02

smoked68 · 01-20-2009, 10:05 PM

I bought a Mr Gasket housing with the gasket as opposed to the o-ring, from Advance. Also used the Black RTV. No leaks...

mycool72 · 01-20-2009, 10:09 PM

Def looks like crud in the coolant system, and chances are that oring didn't seat properly...I have one just like it with no problems.

**WIDESIDE72** · 01-20-2009, 10:14 PM

I would say flush your cooling system really well
. I also run distilled water and antifreeze 50/50, since I have aluminum heads, intake and water pump. The dis similar metals tend to cause corrosion.

**clay68c10** · 01-21-2009, 12:00 AM

Get a new o-ring and replace the coolant. I'm using the same housing and it seals ok.

hilandr452 · 01-21-2009, 12:16 AM

I replaced mine a few days ago, it was 38 years old and looked like it! I had a choice to go with the chrome o-ring like the one in your picture or a nice aluminum cast a little thicker than the chrome one with a little polish it wouldn't make a difference and I just don't trust an o-ring to hold up through the years myself.

Looks to me like something in your water is reacting with the chrome plating. But I'm no expert. Can't hurt to do a nice radiator flush just to be sure, but I'd recommend a nice thick aluminum cast housing.

old housing

new housing

Dan

chevymad · 01-21-2009, 01:44 AM

I went through 3 of those same thermostat housings before i gave up. Each lasted about a year. They all leaked. They'd corrode clear through past the o-ring. Only thing in the whole cooling system that showed anything like that. Flushed and new fill each time. Original radiator and everything else. Finally give up and bought an iron replacement. No more problems. I think its just a cheap material they make them out of.

**VetteVet** · 01-21-2009, 02:20 AM

I've been thinking about one of these from White's performance
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SBC-B...mZ250356290432

Name: thermostat housing.jpg
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Name: thermostat housing.jpg
Views: 387
Size: 14.3 KB

Jeffvega · 01-21-2009, 02:25 AM

What your seeing is electrolysis and the only way to cure it is to use the good old fashion cast iron necks. I have heard that you can screw a zinc that you would use on your prop shaft or rudder of a boat to your intake and it will attack it instead. Never tried it though

gcburdic · 01-21-2009, 09:49 AM

Okay....first thanks for the responses....I guess i forgot some details....
The housing was new when I installed it...I've only run about 200 miles with my newly completed project.....the radiator was pressure checked and cleaned, the antifreeze is 200 miles old....so I think what 'Jeffvega' said is right on.... electrolysis has actually pitted the cheap metal this thing is made out of....
VettVet...that is a pretty nice housing...thanks for the link...
I have ordered a cast iron one for now and I was going to install a Felpro PermadryPlus silicone gasket...I read on this site they are pretty good....

Hey hilandr452...where did you order that housing from??

Thanks again everyone!

pmpski_1 · 01-21-2009, 11:42 AM

Before you put one of those cheap housings on sit it down on a flat surface and see how flat it is. You'll be surprised.

tim21391 · 01-21-2009, 03:30 PM

im good friends with the people at autozonr..they say them chrome housings when you tighten them down they will bend on you...even if they dont bend they said they dont get a good seal because over time it miht bend..i went threw two of them chrome housings..i switched to a cast iron..havent had any problems with the cast one

evilways · 02-05-2009, 03:10 AM

Hey what do you know, opened the hood today at work and low and behold coolant setting on my intake. I have the same cheap housing as gcburdic. Do you guys think I can get away with putting on a Fel-Pro gasket on the O- ring style with some sealant? I don't have the means to order a good cast one right now.

dznucks · 02-05-2009, 07:56 AM

A good rule of thumb when buying parts for your truck......if it says Mr. Gasket on the packaging, its absolute crap. i have never had a mr. gasket product last. i find my self replacing them every few months to a year. i went through three of them before i wised up. the pitting ate through the housing (as shown in the pics) and they warped, all three of them.

you can get the cast ones from autozone for around $6-$8. then you can get you some high temp paint and paint it, for less than one of the mr crap-gasket chrome ones. you will never have problems with the cast cover.

thats my experience.

gcburdic · 02-05-2009, 09:20 AM

Hey evilways....as dznucks says....I bought a cast one at Autozone for $6.99....I also bought the Fel-Pro permadryplus gasket as well $7.99....painted the housing chevy orange and installed the gasket (no sealer required) and ta da...no leaks!!!.....AND I totally agree with dznucks....that Mr. Gasket crap is cheap and no good!!!.....

50MOTORHEAD · 02-05-2009, 09:53 AM

Other than the fact that these cheap housings are made out of the the cheapest metals that they can use is the fact that their chrome plating is lousey. I think that what you are seeing is porosity in the plating and that's where the electrolysis is attacking the metal,,or ,,junk is junk !-KB

tim21391 · 02-05-2009, 01:28 PM

cast is the way to go..might not look as good as chrome but you wont be seeing green on the intake no more

evilways · 02-05-2009, 02:15 PM

Thanks gcburdic, that is what I'll do then.

evilways · 02-05-2009, 06:02 PM

Found the part, is it safe to use the threaded port on it for the temp. unit, or should that only go into the intake or block?

Also does anyone else have an issue with the neck too close to the temp. unit in the intake?

Andy4639 · 02-05-2009, 06:39 PM

Buy a good factory housing. The chrome housing don't go well with the iron or aluminimn intakes. Chemical inbalance of the opposite metals inter acting together along with the antifreeze. Not to mench that they aren't very well made.

01-20-2009, 09:20 PM	#1
gcburdic Restoration Virgin! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Huntersville, NC Posts: 8,299	Cheap Thermostat Housings... Well, I decided that I needed to replace the thermostat housing because I kept seeing antifreeze on my Edelbrock manifold after I let her sit for awhile...seemed as if the housing had a small crack in it, so after removal...this is what I found...looks like corrosion???...right??.... SO...what causes this and what housing should I order that will hold up better???...any ideas are appreciated...Thanks Attached Images __________________ Geoff with a G 1968 Chevy C10 SWB The Mistress 1972 Custom Deluxe C20 Suburban A Suburban Named Isabella 1966 Ford Mustang Mama's High School Graduation Present

01-20-2009, 09:27 PM	#2
mycool72 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Mansfield, TX Posts: 309	Re: Cheap Thermostat Housings... That o-ring is soaked, was it like that when you took it off? Not sure about the corrosion, how old is your radiator and motor?

01-20-2009, 09:42 PM	#3
BlindRonin Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: St. Louis Missouri Posts: 3	Re: Cheap Thermostat Housings... I dont know if that looks like corosion as much as deposits of something on the cooler locations of the housing? have you removed any of it yet to see what it looks like underneath? Also that housing looks okay, but the o-ring might have failed so if you find a higher rated oring or maybe use some standard sealent instead i dont see anything wrong with it unless the sealing surface is warped. just my .02 __________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1972 Cevy C-10 Lwb, New Duals, Skip White Hei Dizzy, No Grill, Gmc hood, She Is a Nasty Dirty Lady Who never lets me Down 1972 Chevy El camino "UNDER CONSTRUCTION"

01-20-2009, 10:05 PM	#4
smoked68 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Rock Hill, SC Posts: 421	Re: Cheap Thermostat Housings... I bought a Mr Gasket housing with the gasket as opposed to the o-ring, from Advance. Also used the Black RTV. No leaks... __________________ 1968 chevy shortbed, Dark Shadow Gray 4 bolt 383 Stroker,Weiand Super Charger, disc brakes, 9 inch, 391 gear, 20" Eagle wheels, muncie 4 speed/ Hurst shifter, 4/7 drop, Hedman midlengths, 3 inch exhaust w/ 2 chamber flows. 1966 Mustang with 306 roller, c-4, 9 inch Detroit locker rear. 1965 Fastback Mustang w/347 stroker, top loader 4spd, 9 inch detroit locker. 1966 Mustang coup, 306 roller, c4, 9 inch. 65 Cobra, 427, T6oo, 9inch, of course. First gen Hayabusa, airbox mod and running 2 exhaust cams.. Zoom Zoom Zoom

01-20-2009, 10:09 PM	#5
mycool72 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Mansfield, TX Posts: 309	Re: Cheap Thermostat Housings... Def looks like crud in the coolant system, and chances are that oring didn't seat properly...I have one just like it with no problems.

01-20-2009, 10:14 PM	#6
WIDESIDE72 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Cedar Park, Texas Posts: 7,500	Re: Cheap Thermostat Housings... I would say flush your cooling system really well . I also run distilled water and antifreeze 50/50, since I have aluminum heads, intake and water pump. The dis similar metals tend to cause corrosion.

01-21-2009, 12:00 AM	#7
clay68c10 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Centennial, CO Posts: 2,996	Re: Cheap Thermostat Housings... Get a new o-ring and replace the coolant. I'm using the same housing and it seals ok. __________________ ClusterTruck: 68 C10 Bought in 89, wrecked in 03. Slow low $ rebuild started '17. 6.0 & TKO http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=788602 93 K1500 Short Step, 350, NV4500, EBL flash ECU. Vortec heads & roller cam someday... 05 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. 3” lift & 6-speed 02 E320 the insurance total “free car” 13 Tahoe LTZ

01-21-2009, 12:16 AM	#8
hilandr452 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 357	Re: Cheap Thermostat Housings... I replaced mine a few days ago, it was 38 years old and looked like it! I had a choice to go with the chrome o-ring like the one in your picture or a nice aluminum cast a little thicker than the chrome one with a little polish it wouldn't make a difference and I just don't trust an o-ring to hold up through the years myself. Looks to me like something in your water is reacting with the chrome plating. But I'm no expert. Can't hurt to do a nice radiator flush just to be sure, but I'd recommend a nice thick aluminum cast housing. old housing new housing Dan __________________ Dan Smith Colorado Springs, CO 71 GMC Custom Camper "Longhorn" 454, TH400 73 Chevy Camper Special (Yes, it's badged a camper special) Flat Bed Motorhome conversion 454, standard tranny *"DON'T TREAD ON ME !!!"* My Project: http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/20829244 , http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/24654442

01-21-2009, 01:44 AM	#9
chevymad Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: skamokawa, WA, USA Posts: 527	Re: Cheap Thermostat Housings... I went through 3 of those same thermostat housings before i gave up. Each lasted about a year. They all leaked. They'd corrode clear through past the o-ring. Only thing in the whole cooling system that showed anything like that. Flushed and new fill each time. Original radiator and everything else. Finally give up and bought an iron replacement. No more problems. I think its just a cheap material they make them out of. __________________ 70 C10 long fleet, 355/200 4r, 6 lug disc conversion, 3" drop 70 gmc changed to 67/8 chevy, 454 with voodoo cam, th400, all 74 running gear.. in progress

01-21-2009, 02:20 AM	#10
VetteVet Msgt USAF Ret Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 8,719	Re: Cheap Thermostat Housings... I've been thinking about one of these from White's performance http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SBC-B...mZ250356290432 __________________ VetteVet metallic green 67 stepside 74 corvette convertible 1965 Harley sportster 1995 Harley wide glide Growing old is hell, but it beats the alternative.

01-21-2009, 02:25 AM	#11
Jeffvega Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Antioch, ca Posts: 57	Re: Cheap Thermostat Housings... What your seeing is electrolysis and the only way to cure it is to use the good old fashion cast iron necks. I have heard that you can screw a zinc that you would use on your prop shaft or rudder of a boat to your intake and it will attack it instead. Never tried it though __________________ 1970 GMC LWB ALL STOCK FOR NOW

01-21-2009, 09:49 AM	#12
gcburdic Restoration Virgin! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Huntersville, NC Posts: 8,299	Re: Cheap Thermostat Housings... Okay....first thanks for the responses....I guess i forgot some details.... The housing was new when I installed it...I've only run about 200 miles with my newly completed project.....the radiator was pressure checked and cleaned, the antifreeze is 200 miles old....so I think what 'Jeffvega' said is right on.... electrolysis has actually pitted the cheap metal this thing is made out of.... VettVet...that is a pretty nice housing...thanks for the link... I have ordered a cast iron one for now and I was going to install a Felpro PermadryPlus silicone gasket...I read on this site they are pretty good.... Hey hilandr452...where did you order that housing from?? Thanks again everyone! __________________ Geoff with a G 1968 Chevy C10 SWB The Mistress 1972 Custom Deluxe C20 Suburban A Suburban Named Isabella 1966 Ford Mustang Mama's High School Graduation Present

01-21-2009, 11:42 AM	#13
pmpski_1 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Seattle WA Posts: 505	Re: Cheap Thermostat Housings... Before you put one of those cheap housings on sit it down on a flat surface and see how flat it is. You'll be surprised. __________________ Curry in a Hurry: SB rebuild for my 71 C20

01-21-2009, 03:30 PM	#14
tim21391 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Salina, Kansas Posts: 1,998	Re: Cheap Thermostat Housings... im good friends with the people at autozonr..they say them chrome housings when you tighten them down they will bend on you...even if they dont bend they said they dont get a good seal because over time it miht bend..i went threw two of them chrome housings..i switched to a cast iron..havent had any problems with the cast one __________________ 1972 C-10...402/400..flowmaster 40 series 1967 Mustang 347 stroker/C-4 1966 Mustang 289/3-speed 2013 Mustang V6/6speed w/300 ponies I may be 23, but i sure do knows 67-72s are sexy! Its not MPG its smiles per gallon! build started 11/25/08 build thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=2993796

02-05-2009, 03:10 AM	#15
evilways Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Lafayette, IN Posts: 226	Re: Cheap Thermostat Housings... Hey what do you know, opened the hood today at work and low and behold coolant setting on my intake. I have the same cheap housing as gcburdic. Do you guys think I can get away with putting on a Fel-Pro gasket on the O- ring style with some sealant? I don't have the means to order a good cast one right now. __________________ Mark 1967 C/10 stepside lwb daily driver 1968 C/10 fleetside lwb parts truck 1971 Cheyenne Super swb project



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02-05-2009, 07:56 AM	#16
dznucks Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Smyrna, Ga Posts: 1,647	Re: Cheap Thermostat Housings... A good rule of thumb when buying parts for your truck......if it says Mr. Gasket on the packaging, its absolute crap. i have never had a mr. gasket product last. i find my self replacing them every few months to a year. i went through three of them before i wised up. the pitting ate through the housing (as shown in the pics) and they warped, all three of them. you can get the cast ones from autozone for around $6-$8. then you can get you some high temp paint and paint it, for less than one of the mr crap-gasket chrome ones. you will never have problems with the cast cover. thats my experience.

02-05-2009, 09:20 AM	#17
gcburdic Restoration Virgin! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Huntersville, NC Posts: 8,299	Re: Cheap Thermostat Housings... Hey evilways....as dznucks says....I bought a cast one at Autozone for $6.99....I also bought the Fel-Pro permadryplus gasket as well $7.99....painted the housing chevy orange and installed the gasket (no sealer required) and ta da...no leaks!!!.....AND I totally agree with dznucks....that Mr. Gasket crap is cheap and no good!!!..... __________________ Geoff with a G 1968 Chevy C10 SWB The Mistress 1972 Custom Deluxe C20 Suburban A Suburban Named Isabella 1966 Ford Mustang Mama's High School Graduation Present

02-05-2009, 09:53 AM	#18
50MOTORHEAD Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: midwest Posts: 113	Re: Cheap Thermostat Housings... Other than the fact that these cheap housings are made out of the the cheapest metals that they can use is the fact that their chrome plating is lousey. I think that what you are seeing is porosity in the plating and that's where the electrolysis is attacking the metal,,or ,,junk is junk !-KB

02-05-2009, 01:28 PM	#19
tim21391 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Salina, Kansas Posts: 1,998	Re: Cheap Thermostat Housings... cast is the way to go..might not look as good as chrome but you wont be seeing green on the intake no more __________________ 1972 C-10...402/400..flowmaster 40 series 1967 Mustang 347 stroker/C-4 1966 Mustang 289/3-speed 2013 Mustang V6/6speed w/300 ponies I may be 23, but i sure do knows 67-72s are sexy! Its not MPG its smiles per gallon! build started 11/25/08 build thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=2993796

02-05-2009, 02:15 PM	#20
evilways Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Lafayette, IN Posts: 226	Re: Cheap Thermostat Housings... Thanks gcburdic, that is what I'll do then. __________________ Mark 1967 C/10 stepside lwb daily driver 1968 C/10 fleetside lwb parts truck 1971 Cheyenne Super swb project

02-05-2009, 06:02 PM	#21
evilways Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Lafayette, IN Posts: 226	Re: Cheap Thermostat Housings... Found the part, is it safe to use the threaded port on it for the temp. unit, or should that only go into the intake or block? Also does anyone else have an issue with the neck too close to the temp. unit in the intake? __________________ Mark 1967 C/10 stepside lwb daily driver 1968 C/10 fleetside lwb parts truck 1971 Cheyenne Super swb project Last edited by evilways; 02-05-2009 at 06:13 PM.

02-05-2009, 06:39 PM	#22
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,945	Re: Cheap Thermostat Housings... Buy a good factory housing. The chrome housing don't go well with the iron or aluminimn intakes. Chemical inbalance of the opposite metals inter acting together along with the antifreeze. Not to mench that they aren't very well made. __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

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