I am having some problems with the thermostat housing (water neck) leaking after I installed a new thermostat. I tried the silicone gasket route with no luck. I think the old corroded piece just needs replaced. Anyone know where I can find one? The best I can come up with is the Mr. Gasket #2557, but it will not fit. The engine is from a 1974 Electra 455. Many thanks.
have you tried just resurfacing it ? grab say , 220 grit sand paper and a piece of glass or something true and flat .
Thanks all. I tried the resurfacing trick. After looking at the housing it almost looks slightly warped. Can't tell if it has always been that way, and was just luck until now, but probably better to just get a new one. Thanks again.
I should probably get a new one too, but I've always managed to seal it with lots of RTV silicone. There is an art to it. $20 is a good price for a new one, though.
Just picked one up at Napa. Unfortunately I don't have the old one with me so I won't know if it is correct until I get home. They didn't have it inhouse, had to have it ordered, took one day, paid $13.00 total.
Ever have the thermostat slip as your putting the water neck on? The thermostat falls off its little ledge and goes in between the housing and the manifold. Makes for a nice water leak!
What are the correct type bolts to use for the housing? My car has some jerry-rigged bolts with split lock washers which don't seem right. '72 455. Thanks. Mitch
What a little pain this has become. I got the housing home, it is correct, but since it is a cast iron piece, and the old one was aluminum, the bolts are too short. The hits keep rollin.
Jason, Stant makes a gasket with a peel off sticky side. Holds that stat in while you start the bolts. Works like a charm.
