1957 thermostat housing ?

[M W.]

Hi all,

Could someone please tell me the correct part number for a thermostat housing for a 57 2x4 intake? I was wondering if the same part number applies to all aluminum water outlets in the C1 series.

Thanks a bunch,

Craig
#36551

[John S.]

Re: 1957 thermostat housing ?

Craig,
Part number 3837223 is used with aluminum intake manifolds and part number 3706018 is used with cast iron intakes. The same applies to the '58-'60 cars.

[Roy B.]

Re: 1957 thermostat housing ?

Original First design

[M W.]

Roy, your back. Fantastic!!!!!!!!!!! *NM*

[Gary Bishop]

Roy, your back. Fantastic!!! I AGREE *NM*

[John D.]

Re: 1957 thermostat housing ?

Hi Roy, I assume you have a Dr's excuse. Anyhow not to disagree with you on your first day back but what kind of documentation do you have to proof that the aluminum outlet #233 is the first design. John

[Edward L.]

Re: 1957 thermostat housing ?

The "018" cast iron thermostat housing was also used on the early 2x4 1957's. Later cars should have the "223". I believe the '56-'57 judging manual addresses this.

Ed

[Roy B.]

Re: 1957 thermostat housing ?

documentation =none

[Jack H.]

I have another variation...

of the 3837223 thermostat cover that I have NOT not seen described in the literature. What makes it different?

(1) It has the thick/high side reinforcement bars extending from the dome to the mounting holes AND depressions above + below the reinforcement bars.

(2) The emboss is CENTERED in the top of the dome reading 'GM' in large block letters with the cast number '3837223' in very small font directly below the 'GM'.

There's no casting ID embossed on either the rear outer lip or on the sides of the dome... Has anyone seen this version of the part?

[Joseph T.]

Re: 1957 thermostat housing ?

I have two unrestored early 57 fuelie engines...and both have cast iron thermostat housings.

Joe

[John D.]

Re: I have another variation...

Jack, I have seen that style and owned several. I believe they are for 348 steel Chevy's.. On ebay you see Gary ? selling those for that use. Not for our toys though.
So Roy doesn't have any documentation huh. Too bad old timer.
Well here is the scoop then. For many years the old timers around here have insisted that the early 57's all used the cast iron outlet. I hate the word all though. Let's say it another way. A typical early 57 Corvette could have used a cast iron top water outlet. A later 57 and all of 58 used a typical aluminum seamed one just like Roy's nice photo. Early FI means 4360's and 4520's. Late 4520's and the rest of production used the seamed.I imagine that the dual 4's followed the same pattern but don't know.
I will provide documentation on this in near future via Ken Kayser. But I think this info is in St. Peters manual. If John is looking in your imput would be appreciated. Thanks, John D.

[John D.]

Re: 1957 thermostat housing ?

HI Joe, Glad to hear that bit of info. I do believe that a ton of those cars-not just early ones used the cast iron water outlet. I appreciate the good info. Thanks, John

[Roy B.]

Re: I have another variation..."John E.thanks" *NM*

[Jack H.]

Doesn't make a lot of sense to me...

that the different versions of the part have the SAME cast number on them with one version being used for 348 and another version for 283 engines. The only way this makes sense is if there were different molds run at different casting source sites and one source served, say Tonawanda, while the other source served Flint due to cost and/or freight-in considerations. Note the one I described has a GM emboss above the cast number vs. the DIE CAST legend we're used to seeing above the cast number....

[John D.]

Re: Doesn't make a lot of sense to me...

Jack, Like I said I have seen the exact same outlet as yours. Your know many years ago Brian Futo had an article on those outlets in "The Restorer". I can't remember if he covered this weird outlet on not. So anyhow I brought several of them to different shows to sell and numerous guys told me that they were for passenger car and not Corvette. Then one time I bought a '233 from an ebay ad then had a blurry photo and wouldn't you know it was one like yours. Turned out the seller and I had a mutual friend and I ended up returning it. Was told again that it was for 348 Chevy.
Dale Pearman told me also that the outlet was not for Corvette use also. He was really into those outlets. I remember when I restored a 62 unit for him he made me put on the seamed style that is typical 57-58. He didn't agree with what was being taught back then. Didn't agree that the 62's only had the typical 233 with the large numbers. Dale was very insistent on this detail. Once in a while you will see an old unrestored 62 with a seamed 57 style outlet. Go figure. I guess with such a low production car most anything could have been used. Who knows. John