The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop The correct 261 thermostat, (help)

Does anybody make the correct thermostat for the 261?
I'm talking about what they call the 'Big Bypass Thermostat'
All I can find when I search "forums posts" are people that drill a 'small vent hole' in thermostats that they found to fit.
I don't know what to look for in order to tell the difference between a "bypass" thermostat and the regular thermostat. I know what the 'bypass' thermostat is supposed to do, but what do I look for when trying to buy one?
I been to 4 auto parts stores and none of them can come up with a 54 to 62 Chevy 261 thermostat. Then when I tell them that it should also be a bypass thermostat they look at me like I was from some other planet.
My housing has a relief of 2.6" diameter where the thermostat sits.
Does anybody have any brand names with part numbers for the correct 261 big bypass t-stat of either a 160 or 180 degree.
Or something that fits and works.


Another question is my thermostat housing has 2 fittings on it, one above the thermostat in the top half of the housing and also a fitting below the termostat on the bottom half of the housing.
I suspect one of them would supply hotter water that the other one would,(??), being that they are on opposite sides of the thermostat. What is connected to these fittings? Maybe one to my heater and one goes directly to my waterpump (which has 2 fittings on it also)??? But which fitting to where?

Maybe(?), please tell me if I am wrong, but is the term 'bypass thermostat' actually mean that the 'bypass' system is built into the thermostat housing and that it has nothing to do with the actual thermostat itself.(??) This would make more sense to me, but I don't know.

(I'm just a guy from another planet)

I think the bypass thermostat is Stant 13928 for a 180 degree thermostat, or 13926 for the 160 degree thermostat. Look for a thermostat for a '62 C60 with a 261 engine if you need to look in an auto parts book. The bypass thermostat looks kind of like a kitchen sink basket strainer.

The thermostat is a bypass setup, the lower fitting should go back to the water pump. When the thermostat is "closed", it sends water out that fitting back to the water pump so water can circulate through the head and block and it doesn't get hot spots. When the thermostat opens, it sends water to the radiator and blocks the lower fitting. You want to use the upper fitting for your heater.