Correct thermostat housing

[52ismine]

Replacing the belts, hoses, and coolant in my '52 Plymouth.

 

Noticed the thermostat housing is pretty rusted/thin metal where the hose slides over. 

 

Looking at replacements and 2 different styles are available that say they fit. One a taller, thin metal one like what I already have and a shorter one that looks like cast metal. 

 

Which one is correct? One style better than the other? Cost seems to be comparable between the 2.

[Dartgame]

I did away with the oem type housing and went to a muscle era V8 (1960-70's) housing. The housing I bought was an aftermarket type with thick flanges and so on. I used a spiral flex upper hose which had the correct size on one end for the radiator and a smaller size that fit the V8 housing. I also used a V8 type thermostat which can be had at any parts store. I prefer the robertshaw thermostats, they are far more accurate on the opening temp. I made this change because I was unable to get my oem type housing to seal to the head, I planed the flange flat and then I tried a bunch of things, gasket with and without  the special gray silicone for thermostats, all leaked. I also allowed 24hrs cure time for the silicone. The V8 housing hasn't leaked a drop. 

[Sniper]

Swap to musclecar thermostat

 

 

Edited May 18, 2023 by Sniper

[YukonJack]

Where did you get the spacer under the thermostat?

[52ismine]

Using a newer style thermostat housing would definitely be a cheaper solution but I have already bought the hose for the old original style(s) along with a new thermostat.

 

As nobody chimed in on which old style to get I will probably get the cast looking one, looks like it may hold up better.

[Doug&Deb]

Can you post pictures of the two choices? There are two different kinds depending on whether you have internal or external bypass. A 52 should be internal but you never know what a previous owner has changed.

[52ismine]

36 minutes ago, Doug&Deb said:

Can you post pictures of the two choices? There are two different kinds depending on whether you have internal or external bypass. A 52 should be internal but you never know what a previous owner has changed.

 

I know about the internal/external bypass. In doing a general internet search or of suppliers/vendors web sites for "1952 Plymouth Thermostat Housing" both these parts show up as fits/correct.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Doug&Deb]

I have the bottom one on my 52 Coronet. Some gasket shellac on both sides of the gasket and no leaks. 

[kencombs]

From what I've seen, the stamped one was used from 56 on, maybe a year or two earlier.  The cast piece was original in earlier years.  My 56 engine came with the stamped model.  The 50 that was in my truck had the cast.  

[Sniper]

My 51 had the stamped one

[YukonJack]

On P15's the cast housing with the by pass hose was used on Special Deluxe and the stamped housing without the by pass hose was used on the Deluxe. If you look in the service manual under cooling system, page 67 it shows by pass hose for Special Deluxe only.