Question for 71 Lt-1 T-stat housing 2128 or 660?

[Brad M.]

[Robert E.]

Re: Question for 71 Lt-1 T-stat housing 2128 or 66

Brad,

I just went out and checked my '71 LT-1 and it does have housing #3877660. I was just thumbing through the Judging guide and can't find a reference to the housing numbers. What page is that on?

Robert
41801

[Joe L.]

Re: Question for 71 Lt-1 T-stat housing 2128 or 66

Brad------

The GM #3972128 thermostat housing was used ALTERNATELY to the 3877660 during the 70-73 period. It is NOT a "heavy duty" thermostat housing and it was certainly not used exclusively for LT-1's. They can be found on many engines during the period described. However, they will not be found on any engine which requires the triangular "tab" with a hole in it as the anchor point for the accelerator return spring. Actually, I think that there were few, if any, applications that required this "tab" during the 70-73 period. The "tab" is the only functional difference between the 3972128 and the 3877660, although there are a few other minor configuration differences.

In my opinion, either of these thermostat housings should be considered correct for any 70-73 Corvette.

The seller would probably like to THINK that this is a rare and necessary piece so that it will command more money or inspire foolish bidders to pay foolish prices.

The seller is correct that the 3972128 was never available in SERVICE; it was a PRODUCTION-only piece. So, he did get that part right.

[Terry M.]

[Brad M.]

Re: Thanks for responses/info

I had previously thought that my car must have a non-original t-stat housing on it. Based upon the information that it was apparently used on some 71 corvettes (whether Lt-1 or not) and that this 2128 housing was not available as a service replacement item, I think that I will keep it on there and basically assume that it is original to my car.

Thanks again, Brad

[Mike E.]

Re: Thanks for responses/info

My 71 LT-1 (30K miles, original belts, hoses, clamps, etc.) is 148 cars from the end of production. It has a 660 housing.

[Phil P.]

Re: Thanks for responses/info

this was covered about 6 mos ago---inconclusive results---my org heavy doc 72 lt1 has a 128 on it---wait for a judging manual then lets do what ever

[Alan T.]

Re: Thanks for responses/info

You are wise to keep it on there, Brad. My original (Star for Mechanical in Bowtie judging) very late 1970 LT-1 has the 660 housing on it, but it is not the original off-the-line housing for the car - the original 128 housing, along with the original hose, had been taken off years before by a former owner because a judge said they were incorrect. Fortunately that owner had saved the original housing/hose and later gave it to me, stating that for sure it was the one the car left the factory with. Also, the GM number on this saved original hose (still mounted to the original 128 housing) was different than what was called for in the JG - but the original-owner '70 LT-1 next to mine at Bowtie judging had the same hose number (it was a 5-Star Bowtie car). I had hoped at the time that the Bowtie team leader would have shown more interest..

[Harmon C.]

Re: Thanks for responses/info

The housing #128 was used on most all 73's I have looked at and was changed to read that way in the 73 TI&JG. The 660 was used for many years and the information just was put in later manuals and soon it makes people change out original parts to match the book.

Lyle

[Robert P.]

Re: Thanks for responses/info

A friend of mine has a early 71 LT1,he purchased new, It has the # 128 housing. Bob