1967 C2 thermostat housing

[Dale S.]

Hi again, Raining in Albuq. No head light rotation work today. I have seen several ad's on ebay for the thermostat housing for a 1967 C2 SB. Some say it should be on the flange others say on the neck. My original is on the flange isn't this correct? Also valve covers some ad's say the should be scripted, mine have the flat with the decal. I bought this car in 1972 from the original owner. It has a manuf. date of H 30, March 30 1967. Also what is a radiator cap 6410206? Thanks for all the help you have given to me in the past and if I need to do these post differently someone please email me. Dale

[Gerard F.]

Re: 1967 C2 thermostat housing

Dale,

Also raining and cold here in Sonora, CA. Nice day to stay in the garage with the propane heater blasting while I'm working on the Holley (on the bench).

If you have a 67 300HP with the aluminum thermostat housing #3877660, the number should be on the flange. I think reproductions have the number on the neck. 67-350HP housings should be cast iron with a different number on the top of the housing.

I know this because, out of sheer stupidity, I broke my original 67-300HP housing by reversing the gasket with the thermostat and tightening down too much on the mounting bolts. I paid over $100 for a replacement with the number on the flange. (Maybe another stupid move!)

Jerry Fuccillo
#42179

[Wayne W.]

Re: 1967 C2 thermostat housing

Valve covers are script.

[Peter L.]

Re: 1967 C2 thermostat housing

Dale - Hope, I haven't missed a description but the motor is a base motor sb. That being the case if you haven't already, check the archives on the 660 thermostat housing regarding the part number location. The P/N location on the flange is an acceptable location but I have to say that there are too many thermostat housing out there with the number on the neck for me to believe there might not have been more than one supplier.

As already mentioned, CHEVROLET script valve covers are what would be expected on a '67 base motor sb.

The 6410206 is an AC RC 26 15 lb radiator pressure cap. The P/N was still available from GM but I think it might not be any longer but the configuration of the top of the cap and some of the internals were different than the original ones used in '67 production.

Pete

[Rick S.]

Re: 1967 C2 thermostat housing

Dale,
I disagree about the valve covers on a base engine small block. That engine should have plain painted steel valve covers. The optional L79 327/350hp has the aluminum script valve covers.

Rick

[Brian M.]

Re: 1967 C2 thermostat housing

The script on the base engine stamped steel valve covers has Chevrolet in script where the 350 HP aluminum covers have Corvette in script.

[Rick S.]

Re: 1967 C2 thermostat housing

Brian,
My mistake, I read the post wrong and confused Chevrolet for Corvette. I'll go back in my corner and use my brain before I open my mouth.

Rick

[Brian M.]

Re: 1967 C2 thermostat housing

I've eaten many a foot.

[Peter L.]

Re: 1967 C2 thermostat housing

Rick - Not to worry, I had someone of notable Corvette importance (not that you are not important) tell me that he was sure the valve covers on a base motor Corvette with the Chevrolet script were not "correct" and that they must have put those Chevrolet 283 engine valve covers on some of the '67 base motor Corvettes because they ran out of the sb Covette aluminum valve covers at the factory. It was a good story but obviously not correct. Oh well, we live and hopefully learn. Pete

[Gerard F.]

To complicate matters

I have heavy duty aluminum valve covers on my 67 base engine which were on it when I bought it in 1968, from my meticulous room-mate in the Navy. The valve covers have six (1/8" thick plus) fins across the top with no script of either Chevrolet or Corvette.
I have resolved that they were probably dealer options or were put on by the dealer after delivery, as I have the dealer's signoff in the warranty book up through the 12 month inspection and every service/oil change receipt to 23000 miles (15 ea) to the date I bought it.

Anybody ever hear of similar valve covers on a base engine?

Jerry Fuccillo
#42179

[John H.]

Re: To complicate matters

Yup - only about fifty aftermarket companies made every kind of finned aluminum valve covers you can imagine for small-block Chevys, with and without logos/emblems. First thing lot of folks did when they got their base-engine car home was to swap the painted steel valve covers for some "nice" aluminum covers

[Gerard F.]

Re: To complicate matters

Yea John, I kinda figured that. Typical speed shop type of the 1967 era.

So I got myself a set of painted steel originals (Paragon) but they came black in color. I sent them to a shop to have them buffed out and repainted Chevy-Orange. They look gorgeous and I'm getting ready to put them on one of these days.

Which Chevys came with black S/B valve covers and are there any other differences?

Jerry Fuccillo
#42179

[Peter L.]

Re: To complicate matters

Jerry - If they have the CHEVROLET script, I think that the 283 engines prior to '67 and then 1967 283 and 327 sb engines were the only engines these valve covers were appropriate for since '68 and later sb engines had holes in the valve covers for PCV plumbing. I thought Chevy orange was the paint du jour at least up through 1967 production. I'm not aware of any Chevrolet car engines back then that were black or had black valve covers. One possibility is marine engines. My 2 cents. Pete

[Gerard F.]

That's a mystery Pete

Here's a picture of them after I had them painted. Not a scratch on them and they have the two weld-on clips for the thermostat wire. Ain't they beauties, the color is more orange then shows in the picture.

But they were black when I got them. Could that had been just a primer?

Jerry Fuccillo
#42179

[John H.]

Re: That's a mystery Pete

Probably - most stamped sheet metal service parts were dip-primed at the Regional Depots prior to boxing and distribution so they wouldn't rust while in stock; all the Regional Depots had either dip-prime or flow-coat paint systems.