67 305E BB V6 Water Inlet / Thermostat Housing

[Bone Stock]

Gents, I've searched, ordered parts and even machined one for a temp fit and have come up empty.. none fit correctly. The truck was missing the original part when I bought'r last year.

I fitted "the wrong part" just to lash the valves and see it run after the heads were on.. but it won't drive this way, as it will leak above idle.

Is there an alternate water inlet/thermo housing, or different year part, etc., that will fit my big block V6 305E ? It's almost back together.. 'cept the cooling part..

Any input is appreciated.

Thanks,

[1972RedNeck]

Picture of what your working with? And maybe some measurements? I have a couple 305's out of the earlier body style that I might be able to rob the housing off for you...

[Bone Stock]

The neck in the pic is too big, with mounting holes about 1/8 to the long, each.
I'll post the correct size tomorrow.. none seem to fit and ebay is no help with the BB.
Thanks for the note, Red.

[Bone Stock]

Checked the last one I bought and it's a Dorman 902-2014. All others purchased fit this same footprint. Two-bolt, at 3 1/2 inches between the two holes.. too big. I'll measure the engine tomorrow.. but it is smaller, maybe
3 1/4 center to center.

[MusicMan70]

I found this info over there...also post a WTB for just that part


Courtesy of Bob Bray over on the 6066 GMC Club Forum

'67-'69 Pickup Upper Radiator Hose
________________________________________
Those of you that have a '67-'69 GMC pickup powered by the V-6 have probably run into problems finding a replacement for the original upper radiator hose assembly. These trucks had a different water manifold with the thermostat on the front, similar to a Buick V-8 or Ford Windsor. This was done because of the lower hood on the new '67 light trucks. The original upper hose consisted of a metal pipe and 2 curved hoses. Further complicating the issue is the fact that the thermostat housing is 1.75" and the radiator inlet is 1.5". The easy solution is to use a universal flex hose, but the bends are a little tight and I don't really like the way they look. In addition, the stock thermostat housings are very hard to find.

I have found that a good solution that looks 'stock' and uses readily available parts is to use a thermostat housing from a '75-up Firebird with a Pontiac 400and an upper hose from a '67-'72 Chevy/GMC C/K light truck with a 292 straight 6 and a HD radiator and/or A/C. All that is required to make the hose fit is to trim an inch or so from the engine end. The 292 hose is 1.5" on both ends, and the Pontiac housing is also 1.5".

The part # for the housing is Four Seasons/Parts Master 84844 and the hose is Gates #20686. Note! Many Firebirds came with a 403 Oldsmobile engine, the Olds housing will not work. It is easy to tell the difference, the Olds housing has an attached thermostat bypass pipe.

[Bone Stock]

Awesome. I'll shop the Firebird housing asap. I have the flex hose now. Cool.
Thanks Music..