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| | | Forums66 Topics128,051 Posts1,055,768 Members48,426 | | Most Online14,466 Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down with Ads! Again, thanks! | | | | Joined: Sep 2014 Posts: 120 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2014 Posts: 120 | I need the bushing for my '54 235 c.i. engine. I tryed NAPA and they could not find one. Auto Zone clerks gave me that "deer in the headlights" look. Jim Carter has them for $6.50 plus the usual/rediculous shipping and handling. The S&H usually costs as much as the part. Ace Hardware has a similar bushing but it does not have the "shoulder" inside to capture the temp. probe. Anyone know of a local source auto parts store and or part number? Jerry
1 1951 Chev Panel with a 350 small block, automatic tranny. 1 2004 Chev 2500 HD pickup... stock 1 1950 Chev 5 window pickup; 261 c.i. engine, 4 on the floor.
With lots of time and money, any Stovebolt can be restored.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | NAPA supposedly has them as Balkamp part #701-1542 (the picture on their website looks to be incorrect but the dimensions look right)
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2014 Posts: 120 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2014 Posts: 120 | Thanks Tim. With the Balkamp part number I can try Napa again. Jerry
1 1951 Chev Panel with a 350 small block, automatic tranny. 1 2004 Chev 2500 HD pickup... stock 1 1950 Chev 5 window pickup; 261 c.i. engine, 4 on the floor.
With lots of time and money, any Stovebolt can be restored.
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 4,263 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 4,263 | What sizes are you going for?
The 54 should already have the correct size for the 5/8 mechanical probe. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | What is the casting number on your head (under the valve cover on the driver's rear side of the head)?
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2014 Posts: 120 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2014 Posts: 120 | What is the casting number on your head (under the valve cover on the driver's rear side of the head)? Tim: Number under valve cover is: CON12 D180 Number on head outside the valve cover is: 3866848 GM23 Block number: 0001905F54X Jerry
1 1951 Chev Panel with a 350 small block, automatic tranny. 1 2004 Chev 2500 HD pickup... stock 1 1950 Chev 5 window pickup; 261 c.i. engine, 4 on the floor.
With lots of time and money, any Stovebolt can be restored.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | Jerry,
Is there a chance that code is 3836848? That is the most common replacement head, made/used from 1956-1962.
The date code: D 18 0 D = April 18 = 18th 0 = 1960
That head would need the adapter bushing for use with 1954 temperature sender.
Please let us know if NAPA has the part, the cost, and if the part does the job.
Good luck,
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 4,263 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 4,263 | Here is a VDO part number if your going from 1/2 pipe to 5/8 straight ...pic... I don't remember where I got the bushing. I thought it was napa but not sure. Good luck | | | | | Joined: Sep 2014 Posts: 120 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2014 Posts: 120 | Jerry,
Is there a chance that code is 3836848? That is the most common replacement head, made/used from 1956-1962.
The date code: D 18 0 D = April 18 = 18th 0 = 1960
That head would need the adapter bushing for use with 1954 temperature sender.
Please let us know if NAPA has the part, the cost, and if the part does the job.
Good luck, Jerry,
Is there a chance that code is 3836848? That is the most common replacement head, made/used from 1956-1962.
The date code: D 18 0 D = April 18 = 18th 0 = 1960
That head would need the adapter bushing for use with 1954 temperature sender.
Please let us know if NAPA has the part, the cost, and if the part does the job.
Good luck, Tim: You are ABSOLUTELY correct. The number is: 3836848 The 3's, 6's and 8's all look the same. Will advise my findings with NAPA.... price, etc. Thanks Tim. Jerry
1 1951 Chev Panel with a 350 small block, automatic tranny. 1 2004 Chev 2500 HD pickup... stock 1 1950 Chev 5 window pickup; 261 c.i. engine, 4 on the floor.
With lots of time and money, any Stovebolt can be restored.
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 |
Denny G Sandwich, IL
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 4,263 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 4,263 | Yep
Looks like his head is not a 54 but a 60.
I put an "if" on the VDO part, just in case
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2014 Posts: 120 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2014 Posts: 120 | Thanks for all the help finding the bushing. Here's the latest: NAPA...They cannot find bushing, even with the Balkamp part number; not found online at the NAPA site either. Classic Parts: $6.95 + $7.95 shipping. VDO/Summit Racing: $7.95 + $5.95 shipping or no shipping charge if I pick it the part in Sparks, NV. NOT!
Probably have to bite the bullet and pay shipping.
Jerry
1 1951 Chev Panel with a 350 small block, automatic tranny. 1 2004 Chev 2500 HD pickup... stock 1 1950 Chev 5 window pickup; 261 c.i. engine, 4 on the floor.
With lots of time and money, any Stovebolt can be restored.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | | | | | | Joined: Sep 2014 Posts: 120 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2014 Posts: 120 | Tim: The pic in the link does not look like what I need. I think what I need is: 5/8 - 18 UNF to 1/2 - 14 NPT. They are common at Ace Hardware and other hardware stores but they do not have the interior "shoulder" to keep the temp probe from going all the way through. Pic emailed to you. Jerry
Last edited by Skinnedknuckles; 04/27/2015 1:02 AM.
1 1951 Chev Panel with a 350 small block, automatic tranny. 1 2004 Chev 2500 HD pickup... stock 1 1950 Chev 5 window pickup; 261 c.i. engine, 4 on the floor.
With lots of time and money, any Stovebolt can be restored.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | Jerry,
You might have "bite the bullet" and buy one from a vendor. Unless someone can come up with a part number from a local parts store.
NAPA Advance Auto Auto Zone O'Reilly's ? | | | | | Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 4,263 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 4,263 | | | | | | Joined: Sep 2014 Posts: 120 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2014 Posts: 120 | Based on the link you supplied, I "reserved" the part online this evening. I'll run over to the NAPA store Mon. morning and show them the paperwork. Under $6.00. Hope it works. Thanks, Jerry
1 1951 Chev Panel with a 350 small block, automatic tranny. 1 2004 Chev 2500 HD pickup... stock 1 1950 Chev 5 window pickup; 261 c.i. engine, 4 on the floor.
With lots of time and money, any Stovebolt can be restored.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | Go find/post, DADS50.
Jerry,
Please post the results.
It looks like it has the "seat" for sealing the bulb.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2014 Posts: 120 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2014 Posts: 120 | Still zero dark-thirty here. Anxious to get over to NAPA with the printed "reservation" and show it to the counter guys that twice could not find the bushing. Maybe "NAPA Know How" will finally surface. Jerry
1 1951 Chev Panel with a 350 small block, automatic tranny. 1 2004 Chev 2500 HD pickup... stock 1 1950 Chev 5 window pickup; 261 c.i. engine, 4 on the floor.
With lots of time and money, any Stovebolt can be restored.
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 | Orta be at least a dozen or more NAPA stores around the Phoenix area, just try one where the counter guy knows what he's doing.
dg
Denny G Sandwich, IL
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2014 Posts: 120 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2014 Posts: 120 | Got the temp. adapter bushing from NAPA. Part number: 701-1798, BK adapter. (probably Balkamp) $5.67, tax 0.44, Total $6.11
Thanks DADS50, Tim, Denny, et. al. Much appreciate all the help and advice. Jerry
1 1951 Chev Panel with a 350 small block, automatic tranny. 1 2004 Chev 2500 HD pickup... stock 1 1950 Chev 5 window pickup; 261 c.i. engine, 4 on the floor.
With lots of time and money, any Stovebolt can be restored.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2014 Posts: 120 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2014 Posts: 120 | Denny: It seems to be my luck to ALWAYS get the least experienced counter person at the auto parts store. Local NAPA store has a woman that knows NOTHING. I need to put chalk marks behind her feet to see if she's moving. I refuse to deal with her and wait for one of the men. I do not have a gender bias... she just doesn't know beans about anything automotive. Thanks for your help.... JB
1 1951 Chev Panel with a 350 small block, automatic tranny. 1 2004 Chev 2500 HD pickup... stock 1 1950 Chev 5 window pickup; 261 c.i. engine, 4 on the floor.
With lots of time and money, any Stovebolt can be restored.
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 | I work a parts counter from my Sr. year in HS till I was 21 when I joined the USAF. Back then you had better know your stuff or you weren't working there long. Almost all the guys working parts counters were gear heads or had some back ground in automotive. Today all you need to know is how to punch buttons on a confuser. Amazing how much trouble one little brass reducer bushing can cause, isn't it! dg
Denny G Sandwich, IL
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2014 Posts: 120 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2014 Posts: 120 | Denny: You are so right. When I finally led the NAPA guy by the nose to find the bushing, he still didn't know how to find it on his own. That being said it was still 1000% better than the kid at O'Reilly's who doesn't know a spark plug from a waterpump. Like I always say: Knowledge is power and you better have your guns loaded before you lay down the greenbacks. Tks, Jerry
1 1951 Chev Panel with a 350 small block, automatic tranny. 1 2004 Chev 2500 HD pickup... stock 1 1950 Chev 5 window pickup; 261 c.i. engine, 4 on the floor.
With lots of time and money, any Stovebolt can be restored.
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