50 coupe Posted May 31, 2016 Report Posted May 31, 2016 The original thermostat housing on my 218 is rusted through. I found an aftermarket straight neck design replacement that fits. It fits small and big block mopars.. It leaks from around the gasket base. The thermostat fits in it just as well as the original. It has the recessed collar for it to fit in. After looking on this site, wondering if it is leaking from the bolt threads. No, I didn't apply a thread sealant. I will try it this weekend. Has anyone had luck using plumbers pipe tape for this application? Also, what order of assembly? Do I place the gasket on the block first, then the thermostat on top, then the housing or does the gasket go on top of the thermostat? Thanks Quote
Don Coatney Posted May 31, 2016 Report Posted May 31, 2016 This is how I assembled my thermostat. Gasket on top of the thermostat. I used grease only on the gasket. No expensive gasket cement. Quote
50 coupe Posted June 1, 2016 Author Report Posted June 1, 2016 Thanks Don. Mine is the 'internal bypass' design from what I gather. Not sure how that comes into play. Quote
mopar_earl Posted June 1, 2016 Report Posted June 1, 2016 My original housing with internal bypass was warped and leaked. I couldn't find anything that would fit, especially for the radiator hose size. Ended up buying one from Andy Bernbaum's as I had no choice. For 60 bucks I got a new one that didn't leak. Earl Quote
50 coupe Posted June 1, 2016 Author Report Posted June 1, 2016 My original housing with internal bypass was warped and leaked. I couldn't find anything that would fit, especially for the radiator hose size. Ended up buying one from Andy Bernbaum's as I had no choice. For 60 bucks I got a new one that didn't leak. Earl That's what I am afraid of....... LOL. Quote
deathbound Posted June 1, 2016 Report Posted June 1, 2016 I've used thread sealant with teflon for the studs, for the gasket/housing, I used the expensive Permatex Indian Head gasket Shellac Compound on each sealing surface....think it was around $4. No leaks, but kind of messy. Quote
CoronetGuy Posted June 1, 2016 Report Posted June 1, 2016 I used a thin layer of red RTV when I installed that. Gave it 24hrs before I added coolant. No leaks. I had to remove it a few months later and the area cleaned up easily and I did the same process over again Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted June 1, 2016 Report Posted June 1, 2016 I have seen a few of these head split between the thermostat opening and the hole/threads of the mounting bolt....make sure this area is also very clean and RTV in a thin film is your friend... Quote
mopar_earl Posted June 1, 2016 Report Posted June 1, 2016 (edited) Mine was warped and wouldn't seal no matter how much sealer you put on it with a gasket. Tried to seal it 3 times and than bought a replacement. Spent two days online trying to find a replacement that would fit both the head and the radiator hose, couldn't source one. Nor could Napa. Went threw every housing they had on the shelf. So I bought the reproduction housing on eBay from Mopar Direct, later finding out they are Andy Bernbaum's. Earl Edited June 1, 2016 by mopar_earl Quote
50 coupe Posted June 2, 2016 Author Report Posted June 2, 2016 Mine was warped and wouldn't seal no matter how much sealer you put on it with a gasket. Tried to seal it 3 times and than bought a replacement. Spent two days online trying to find a replacement that would fit both the head and the radiator hose, couldn't source one. Nor could Napa. Went threw every housing they had on the shelf. So I bought the reproduction housing on eBay from Mopar Direct, later finding out they are Andy Bernbaum's. Earl Here is what I am trying now. http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Chevy-Mopar-Chrome-Water-Neck-Gasket-Sealed,7074.html only $9 plus shipping. Yes, I had to piece together the hose with a copper coupler to mate the hose from the radiator to the neck. Kind of shade tree set up at this point but I will sort it out if the neck proves to work. If not, I will have to get the repop from AB. 1 Quote
ptwothree Posted June 3, 2016 Report Posted June 3, 2016 Here is what I am trying now. http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Chevy-Mopar-Chrome-Water-Neck-Gasket-Sealed,7074.html only $9 plus shipping. Yes, I had to piece together the hose with a copper coupler to mate the hose from the radiator to the neck. Kind of shade tree set up at this point but I will sort it out if the neck proves to work. If not, I will have to get the repop from AB. Same thing I used minus the chrome. Stock mopar V8 necks will work but hose may need to be made longer depending on what you are working on....and no more leaks! 1 Quote
mopar_earl Posted June 3, 2016 Report Posted June 3, 2016 Wouldn't work on my car. My radiator hose was a lot larger diameter than the Mopar v8 housing. That was my first try. Earl Quote
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