The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 261 thermostat housing on a 235 engine

Once again folks I thought I figured out a problem until I read more into it.

A while back I asked about adding a "tee" on my cooling system to add an mechanical sensor to check the temperature while keeping the original sensor for my original gauge in the cluster. The advice I received was first the sensor or sending unit needs to be in the flow of the water and if I add a "tee" it might not sense properly. Secondly, the 261 thermostat house had an extra port for a bypass on the upper thermostat housing. I finally found a housing which was sent to me "paying it forward" from another Stovebolter and here is my question. When I was searching for the part numbers here I started reading about the 261 having a dual acting thermostat that allows some circulation through the engine during warm up that avoids hot spots until the main portion of the T stat opens. So if I connect a mechanical sensor to the upper port on the 261 housing will it read correctly? I have the lower port of the water neck of the thermostat housing going to the heater.

I have a 261 upper and lower thermostat housing that I will be installing an a 1956 235 truck engine. I a "tee" from where the water pump heater hose connects because I am running water heat to the intake manifold.

Any advice is very helpful.

If I am good does anyone have any part numbers that will work for my application?

Here is what I have found just want to make sure I got the correct part numbers.

The application for the thermostat should be off a '62 C60 with a 261 engine. (If the parts guys ask)

Stant 13928 for a 180 degree thermostat
Stant 13926 for a 160 degree thermostat

Does anyone have a part number for the gasket on the thermostat housing where the upper meets the lower?