So far the 350 motor install is surprisingly %100 leak free...except for the T' Stat housing. It was a O ring type, and was weeping. Also the car never seemed to come up to temp, would never seem to get past 170 and would fall to 150 on the open road. Running a tested 195 degree stat, small bleed hole. So with a little research, I found that others have had this issue with SBC's, and It is caused by using a O ring housing with a intake flange meant for a gasket. Apparently the Stat will lift when using just a O ring, and coolant will actually flow around it. Sure enough, changing to a gasket made everything right. 195 max in traffic, cooling to 175 on the highway, I'm happy, but it still wept coolant. Tried 3 different gaskets, with high tack, silicone. Nothing worked.
So I now, late in the game... I thought I might check the flatness of the housing, and sure enough...the flange is totaly warped! And yes, surprise! It's a cheap chrome Chinese part.
Took the old T' Stat housing off the 327, cleaned it up and installed it. No more leaks! You can't beat OEM when it comes to sealing.
So if you're running too cool, and have a O ring housing, you just might be bypassing the thermostat. And if you can't seal a leak...throw any associated chinese parts in the trash.
Cheers, Mark
-- Edited by cdnpont on Sunday 30th of September 2012 04:49:44 PM
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65 Laurentian post, 67 Grande Parisienne 4 door HT.
That's why I bought a used OEM one off Roger Rabbit ... I heard about the crappy chrome ones especially using an O ring.
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Prince Edward Island
'64 Parisienne CS "barn find" - last on the road in '86 ... Owner Protection Plan booklet, original paint, original near-mint aqua interior, original aqua GM floor mats, original 283, factory posi, and original rust.
Yes, even before they were imported they were junk. I was a teen in the 70's working in the gas station (and we did lots of performance work) and the Mr Gasket and Rocket pieces we sold then were the same thing, leakers.
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
