BB Thermostat Housing

[Paul A.]

[Mark L.]

Re: BB Thermostat Housing

Paul, I've seen them in both places for the thermostat neck. Makes me wonder if GM had two suppliers.

[Mike B.]

Re: BB Thermostat Housing

Paul,

What build month is your '66 L36? Although my December built '66 L36's housing had been changed I've contacted a few other L36 owners who's cars were built reasonably close to mine. I've got photos of their original housings. May give you an idea of what style #660 was being installed earlier during production.

Mike

[Paul A.]

Re: BB Thermostat Housing

Paul,

What build month is your '66 L36? Although my December built '66 L36's housing had been changed I've contacted a few other L36 owners who's cars were built reasonably close to mine. I've got photos of their original housings. May give you an idea of what style #660 was being installed earlier during production.

Mike

Mike, Car/eng. build date is Feb 66. Looks like my current housing cover is a repro however, still had the GM part number embossed on it. Thanks.

[Keith B.]

Re: BB Thermostat Housing

my understanding is the part number on the neck and hole at the bottom appeared for 68 productions

[Joe R.]

Re: BB Thermostat Housing

Here's a picture of a 660. I have no idea what car it came from.

JRIMG_0766[1].jpgIMG_0766[1].jpg

[Mike B.]

Re: BB Thermostat Housing

Good Morning Paul,

Don't rule out your #3877660 housing. It may be original to your car. I've been hearing for years that the early type housing had the part number on the flange lip. Which is stated in the '66 TIM&JG for both the base engine and big blocks. I'm glad to read there the statement "typically cast onto the rear edge of the attaching flange". I mention this because I've spotted the type housing like yours with the number on the neck on original cars. An acquaintance of mine has owned a beautiful '66 L36 AC coupe for about 55 years now. I've visited him and his car to take various photos. The car has the part number on the housing neck. Not the flange lip. See photo.

The best thing Paul is for you to post some photos here so that we can all take a look at your housing. Mike

November Built '66 L36 Thermostat Housing.jpg

[Paul A.]

F45E8131-0321-4B5B-9B63-EC7756CE9914.jpg02693F88-D598-412A-9D63-4CD7C6C6AF5D.jpg

[Joseph S.]

Re: BB Thermostat Housing

Paul, If it were my car, I would look for a housing with the 660 in/on the flange. They are not expensive and it will not be questioned at any judging event. Unless you can find 100 or so examples of "Unrestored" "Untouched" housings on 66 engines with the 660 on the outlet tube, so you have some grounds for your defense, it will always be questioned at judging time.

Regards,

[Mike B.]

Re: BB Thermostat Housing

Hi Paul,

Your housing looks aged and very similar to the November built L36's housing. Yours might just be original? But I was just on Paragon's site and viewed the current repro housing that's out there. It's almost a dead ringer to yours and would most probably raise eyebrows. The repro even has the #2 stamp like yours has. Maybe that's why you stated earlier that you thought it was a repro? I'd surely store your current housing away in archived parts if you decide not to use it.

There's lots of the flange lip stamped type out there. Good luck with your car. Mike