Thermostat housing

[wlewis]

My 351W's thermostat housing is leaking again. Several years ago, I replaced my custom made steel surge tank that leaked, with the Finishline welded aluminum tank. The Finishline tank included a cheap, chrome thermostat housing that was slightly warped. After filing down the housing, I installed it with included O ring and leak stopped and everything was fine......untill recently when leak started back. After disassembling tank, the housing warpage is worse than before. Even though a new O ring is thicker than the housing groove and would probably eliminate the leak till the O ring flattens, I would prefer to use a heavier duty thermostat housing. I ordered a stainless steel housing from Summit, but returned it because the neck was about 1/2" too long. Neither Summit nor Jeggs offer any other stainless or billet aluminum housings that will fit a 351w. Anyone have any suggestions as to who might have one available?
Walter

[Jim Harding]

Walter, are you sure where the leak is? I've seen more leaks around the bolts due to not using a good sealer on the bolt threads. Those bolt holes in the intake are not blind holes. They go all the way through into the water passages.

[wlewis]

Good thought, Jim. All I really know, is coolant drips from manifold/thermostat housing connection joint and drips onto top of engine cover. I've never considered the bolt holes as the leak source, but I did plan to using a sealant in the bolt holes when I put it back together. Thanks!

[Jeff]

If you have a flat sander reserface the bottom and put your o ring back in and then use 100 percent rubber silicon and put on the bottom of housing tighten down let dry over night then put your fluids in the following day should have fixed problem. Jeff

[diegokid]

The "ultra" type silicon is more water, gas and oil resistant than plain silicon so try it instead.

[cal.cheesehead]

Permatex makes a water pump and thermostat housing rtv silicone. Mine leaked. Used this product.. no leaks..good luck.