T/Stat Housing Leaks

[55 Fargo]

Hi all, decided to pull my t/stat tonight, the antifreeze came out clean as a whistle, should be a good sign. When I reinstalled the t/stat and housing, I immediately noticed a pinhole leak, I had to drain the coolant right quick. What I did was clean the housing, and applied a coating of high temp silicone. I had forgotten I did this before in this housing as it had been leaking. I should have used JB Weld, but didn't have any at home, so tried the silicone. Will let it cure overnight and see what happens.

This t/stat housing is the type without the short hose for the external bypass. Now I do have the short hose type t/stat housing here also, but can you use them on a 1951 engine that has the internal type by-pass, that came without the short hose t/stat housing, or would it cause a problem............Thanx Fred

[Normspeed]

Fred, is your leaky housing a cast iron or one of the thinner steel ones?

[Norm's Coupe]

Fred,

I think you could use either system and be ok. The only problem would be the plumbing and maybe the water pump.

That said, I would try to repair the one that came on the engine. If not, I would look for another one to replace it with. You may be able to use a housing from another make car too. For example, I know you can use a newer Chevy housing on a flathead V8, so there is probably one that will interchange with Mopar 6.

[55 Fargo]

Thanx guys, the shadetree fix, has worked. The T/stat housing is not leaking. I found out you can buy these t/stat housings from Andy Bernbaum for $29.95. Yes it is metal and not cast, I think you could use either, but it would be better to stick with the oem type. The 1951 and later blocks were designed different for the internal by-pass water bump, so it would be best not to mess with it. Infact the external by-pass pumps cannot be used on the internal by-pass engines, but you can use the internal by-pass pump on an external engine, go figure. Found this out on another Mopar site.

But as I was puring in antifreeze at 1:00 in the morning, I slopped it on the floor, I did wipe it up, but what is a good way to wash the concrete floor and with what cleaner.............Fred

[Norm's Coupe]

Fred,

Just flushing the floor with plain water will usually take up any stain from anti freeze. I've spilled it on the concrete slab in front of my garage several times. After a couple of good rains, it's gone.

[55 Fargo]

Thanx Norm