The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Chrome water neck from e-bay

I just bought the chrome waterneck you see on the 'bay, and it has no provision for a Thermostat! I will not run without a stat, so I'm gonna chuck it up in my 4 jaw on the lathe and turn a recess to accept one. I don't know how much a machine shop would charge, but if anyone in socal want it done I'll do it for just a coupla bucks ( to cover the 1/2 hour or so it'll take)!

I bought a polished aluminum water neck (for a 235) just because I needed a straight up rather than an angle. Got any pictures?

Hey, anybody install a small block waterneck on a 235 outlet? I don't know the bolt spacing difference, or if they will seal at the edge.

I bought a chrome straight up one for a v8.
It fit fine on my 235.

regards,
Leon

They are the same. I helped a guy put a 355 in a '49 1 ton once, we used the original 216 housing on the V8 intake.

the one on the 'bay comes with the lower portion as well it ran me about $40.00.

The ad I saw on EBay for a water neck like you describe states that there is no provision for a thermostat. Not sure why they would sell it that way except that it's imported and maybe don't know any better.

Thats the one I got! it looks really nice, but the small recess for the thermostat is absent. I'm gonna chuck it up in my 4-jaw on the lathe and cut my own recess.

Well, I got my chrome outlet to the shop, and it turns out the hole where the thermostat would normally go is larger on the chrome one. Larger as in as large as the thermostat o.d. itself! So now I think I'll have to make a press in shelf to hold the thermostat.I think if I make it a tight fit, and use some green loctite, it will work.

Valuable information. Thanks.

I have one sitting on my bench at home. Pretty much a waste of forty bucks. I put the original from the 216 back on so I could hook up the radiator easier. The size of the throat is much larger that the original on the 1940.

Chrome t-stat housings leak! I've tossed several of them, and gone back to an OEM cast iron one. Don't waste time and money trying to make it work!
Jerry

I was thinking that very thing!

I have a lapping plate to straighten it, and I was gonna use a small block "O" ring neck with it, as they are the best sealers in the neck dept. I have no worries that it will leak. I work on Harleys, so I know how to deal with leaks!

Could a guy use two gaskets and have one gasket be the seat for the thermostat? Just a thought.

When I did the last re-do on my 261, I found the best stock 235 theromostat housing/water neck I could get my hands on, cleaned it up nicely and had it powdercoated with what was referred to as a "platinum finish". Came out nice! It's not chrome, but gives the illusion that it's something like it. It has held up very well!
Joe

I would imagine the gasket would deteriorate and let the thermostat fall on its side. It would sorta obstruct the flow, but not hold it until it reaches operating temp. The thermostat is also a restrictor, slowing flow enough to accomplish heat transfer. Otherwise, if it just a matter of slower warm-up, I would be tempted to run sans thermo. I'm going to go buy some metal tubing to spin up in the lathe, and make a press-in shelf.