Hot Rods Sbc 327 thermostat housing HELP!!!

Mocking up on my 327 and found that my thermostat housing and oil filler tube are so close I can't get a radiator hose on it, have a thermostat housing for a early Chevy that is straight out and at a 45. Any ideas on a radiator hose that will work with a early sbc thermostat housing etc etc?

Radiator hose attaches to the radiator on the driver side.


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I believe the stock one for that setup goes straight forward at about a 45 degree angle up.
Most cars that used that intake had the inlet of the radiator in the center of the top tank.
There are a crap load of different Chevy thermostat housings that have slightly different angles on them depending on the application though.
Scroll down on this link for a 63 split window and it has a 327 with the filler spout and an angled off thermostat housing that clears. http://eclassicautos.com/1963-corvette-sting-ray-split-window-coupe.html

 

I believe it's Mr Gasket and others that makes one that swivels on it's sealing base that has an O-Ring seal, you can position it wherever it will fit best for your application.

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Mr-Ga...D5pkpMEID6o8Gm87X2AJTqzIEAkPGKFhNoaAl8R8P8HAQ

 

early z28's and vettes used this type, might work for you

 

62 327 Impala and this is the thermostat outlet angle that most see on a 327

 

The Corvette housing that Scotty T showed would be worth a few cool parts points for sure. There are Corvette parts vendors that sell those. I'd just carefully paint it and leave the casting numbers.

 

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/MRY0/84827.oap?

and rockauto.com has them for $12 plus shipping

 

You could pie cut and weld the fill tube just above where it goes into the intake, a small angle change should get you adequate hose clearance.

 

Also used on 327/350 hp in Novas and Chevelles.



I had to reorient a thermostat housing on another project, also using the 350 horse cast iron housing by making two 3/8" aluminum flanges and tig welding them together on the inside.

 

Knock a freeze plug into the factory hole and use a valve cover filler/breather.

 

Hey OP, is that an edelbrock intake? If so use the straightforward housing, it will clear the fill tube. then just shop for a hose. I've taken old hosees and cut out the shapes I needed then duct taped them together when you have the "hose" you need take it to the parts store to compare. Nice chevelle by the way!

 

I'm using one from a Chev van. It goes straight up and is slightly forward of the thermostat center line. This clears a 14-inch air cleaner. Straight up may not help you but might interest guys with tall radiators like my '37. Also, the straight up design comes up between the alternator and A/C compressor for a clean look. Just my $.02.

 

Hit the breather tube with a block of wood and it will move a little.

 

...........................You guys are just full of happy solutions.

 

yup, all kinds of great ideas! this is another one I would steer away from....the ones that look like this are made of chrome plated pot metal. It warps, continuously.

 

I had the same problem in my 38 Chevy, went for a chrome one, from either Summit or Jegs, looks similar to this http://www.jegs.com/p/RPC/RPC-Water-Necks-and-Accessories/3446529/10002/-1. I didn't have any luck in the salvage yards finding anything that would work

In my case (38 Chevy) the water hose was located in the center of the radiator and aligned with the water neck very readily.

 

I'm always on the look-out for these in case I ever need 'em. Got 'em hangin' on the garage wall.

 

Dorman #902201

$6.31 at RockAuto

I kept searching Summit/Jegs for an inexpensive, good quality water neck for a sbc and wasn't having much luck. I had a 55 wagon with a 265 that I was going to steal the cast iron neck from but I thought I'd look it up and see if they are still available and sure enough, RockAuto has them when you search for 1955 Chevy with a 265. I just put one on my '54 with a 350. I'll never use one of those pot metal junkers again.

 

........So true, Jim. I think the chroming process warps them. I've seem 'em right out of the package with warped mounting surface.

 

Zinc is not a good material for parts that take any load, heat, etc.

 

If you use one that is straight and angled up radiator hose #9942 from NAPA should work wit the outlet on drivers side.

 

I wouldn't use that one either, it was just a pic showing the style I was talking about.

 

Or get a wood dowel that will just fit inside the fill tube, slide it all the way down to the step and give it a tug away from the one you have. Don't need much of a tug to make room for a hose and it won't mess up the chrome.

 

Those cheap Chinese pot metal chrome housings will rot through quickly. Unfortunately when you need one they seem to be the only thing you can buy locally. We have a Chevrolet dealer near by that has a Performance Parts Center, called and asked if they had any thermostat housings not made in China, their reply was "No".
On eBay theres every type of housings you could think of including swivels.

Gary

 

This is kind of slick, used it recently though I painted it Orange so it wouldn't stand out as bad. This water neck swivels and clamps down when the bolts are tightened so it virtually can be set any degree. Polished aluminum costs $27 at Jegs http://www.jegs.com/i/Allstar-Performance/049/ALL30173K/10002/-1
, chrome ones are cheaper but should be avoided.

 

I always Glyptal the insides of any of them. Never found ant deterioration when I take them apart.

 

Check out Hutch Built roadster project, last page (10) has images of the Corvette, Nova thermostat housing.

 

2 suggestions, 1 take a coat hanger and bend it to the shape you need the hose to be and head to your local parts store. Hopefully they will let you wonder the back room to find what you need. 2. My 28 I had a piece of aluminized exhaust bent to the design I needed and just used hose for the joints. I used the coat hanger again for the pattern. Good luck with your project.


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My 61 has that same one as the 63 and u can buy em from most any vette parts supplier.

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