Got myself into trouble(again)!

[clb1024]

I broke the lower part of the therostat housing today. I tried looking online at all the auto parts stores around and can't find the part anywhere. I will post a picture tomorrow. How it happened: Truck had an after market gauge when I bought it and it has stopped working. Yesterday I thought I smelled the motor overheating looked at the gauge and it was not working. I had a set of cheap SunPro gauges in the shed my dad bought for another truck(sold), so I thought I would just throgh them in. As I was putting in the new housing adapter I hear "POP" and a chunck on the housing flew off. It didn't even feel like it was getting tight. Anyone know where I can get another one?

Thanks,
Chris

[70cst]

Its late but you should get an answer tomorrow. Good luck.

[leddzepp]

You should be able to get one at any local auto parts store for around $10. I would go in and ask for one, as opposed to looking for one online.

[mrein3]

Originally Posted by clb1024

I broke the lower part of the therostat housing today. I tried looking online at all the auto parts stores around and can't find the part anywhere. I will post a picture tomorrow. How it happened: Truck had an after market gauge when I bought it and it has stopped working. Yesterday I thought I smelled the motor overheating looked at the gauge and it was not working. I had a set of cheap SunPro gauges in the shed my dad bought for another truck(sold), so I thought I would just throgh them in. As I was putting in the new housing adapter I hear "POP" and a chunck on the housing flew off. It didn't even feel like it was getting tight. Anyone know where I can get another one?

Thanks,
Chris

Somebody around Middleburg, FL should really help a brother out. I mean I don't part trucks all day long like you guys and I still got boxes of thermostat housings laying around. (Just kidding but I know I could find one in my shop if I had to.)

Chris - I'd try to use a used factory part. I've seen many of the cheapo ones from the autoparts store come out of the box warped.

The next time you work on the thermostat make sure the stat is seated in the groove and do NOT overtighten those bolts. Back in college I used to work with another guy in a shop who used to break one of those every other month or so. He would either gorilla the bolts or simply have the stat not seated properly in the groove.

[clb1024]

Here is the part that broke. I marked it with arrows.

[clb1024]

The other side of the housing.

[clb1024]

Originally Posted by leddzepp

You should be able to get one at any local auto parts store for around $10. I would go in and ask for one, as opposed to looking for one online.

I plan to in just a little while. It was late so I thoght I'd look online, so I would have the part number handy. In my area its hard to get them to look something up thats 45 years old. Hopefully its only $10 bucks. Thanks for the reply.

[71swb4x4]

6 cylinder? You may need to get that from a junkyard.

[clb1024]

Originally Posted by mrein3

Somebody around Middleburg, FL should really help a brother out. I mean I don't part trucks all day long like you guys and I still got boxes of thermostat housings laying around. (Just kidding but I know I could find one in my shop if I had to.)

Chris - I'd try to use a used factory part. I've seen many of the cheapo ones from the autoparts store come out of the box warped.

The next time you work on the thermostat make sure the stat is seated in the groove and do NOT overtighten those bolts. Back in college I used to work with another guy in a shop who used to break one of those every other month or so. He would either gorilla the bolts or simply have the stat not seated properly in the groove.

I think you are thinking of the part where the hose goes to. Its underneath that part and appears to be held on with 3 bolts. The thermosat housing bolts to it with 2 bolts. When it comes to putting parts on my engine I would rather spend a few extra dollars for the "right" part than the "El Cheapo" parts(never have luck).


Another quick question: When the truck rolled off the lot back in 67 what did they use for a temperature gauge? My truck has the 3 hole dash. It has a large speedo, small multi with generator light: blinkers: oil psi light, and a large fuel gauge.

[clb1024]

Originally Posted by 71swb4x4

6 cylinder? You may need to get that from a junkyard.

250 L6. Locale yard only has 1 truck and no motor.

[71swb4x4]

Do they have any cars? Don't think there is a difference in that part.

Temp gauge was an option. You have a dummy light on the fuel gauge for temp. Switching from dummy lights to gauges is fairly easy, there is an FAQ thread on that swap on the board.

[clb1024]

71swb4X4: I will look today for some cars. any idea which ones to look for? Are you sure the dummy light is in the fuel gauge? After I put my dash back together there is a red light the is on under the 50 hash mark in the speedo. The lights were out so I put new bulbs in.

[68 IRON]

Its expensive, but looks like it would work.... http://www.oehq.com/oeparts_ACD15-80766_ACD.htm .....parts are kinda tough to find. I pick up anything "Inline" when I see it!

[leddzepp]

didnt realize it was an i6...parts store probably won't have one.

[67c10rustbuket]

I THINK this is the correct one. old dirty NOS, I sold them on here a while back dirt cheap.

[71swb4x4]

Originally Posted by clb1024

After I put my dash back together there is a red light the is on under the 50 hash mark in the speedo.

I believe you are referring to the red light that indicates your headlight high beams are on.

[bollybib]

Interesting problem.

[clb1024]

Originally Posted by 67c10rustbuket

I THINK this is the correct one. old dirty NOS, I sold them on here a while back dirt cheap.

Those are the correct ones.

The auto parts stores = strike 1
The junkyard = strike 2

[clb1024]

here is what it looks like now.

[clb1024]

Originally Posted by 71swb4x4

I believe you are referring to the red light that indicates your headlight high beams are on.

I thought they used a blue light for that.

[68 IRON]

Heres how mine is setup. The first pic shows my gauge sender installed in the head....you can see the relative position with the intake manifold.

The second pic shows the big pic with the lower housing. The one you have is typical for the 292's.....water return. If you find a blank one you can either relocate your sender to the head (which I believe is typical) or drill the boss and istall the sender like you already have.

I'll check back in later....good luck!

[MARKDTN]

Looks like a cast iron part. You could weld it up and re-tap it if you have someone local who can weld cast.

[Bert W]

JB Weld & Duct Tape, maybe a dab of silicone.

[cleszkie]

I'd bet that Dorman makes this piece. When I replaced the thermostat housing on my small block, I was able to find a cast iron replacement in the Dorman catalogue at my local mom and pop parts store. Looked like Dorman had tons of other housings in that catalogue.

[LowGT]

Same thing happened to me on my L6, you can't get that part at the local auto parts store. I ended up finding a really good deal on a complete engine that would fix quite a few problems I was having, so I just swapped the whole thing out. Good luck!

I would think a 250 from another non-integrated head car would be the same part? Maybe that will give you some more options at junkyards.