1968 327/ 350 Corvette Thermostat Housing?

[Adam F.]

I have a late production July 17th 1968 build date 327/350 which has a cast aluminum thermostat housing #3877660. The judging manual states that aluminum thermostat housings were used in 1969 and 68's were cast iron. Is it possible that my late production 1968 is correct with an aluminum housing? Thanks for any help.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1968 327/ 350 Corvette Thermostat Housing?

I have a late production July 17th 1968 build date 327/350 which has a cast aluminum thermostat housing #3877660. The judging manual states that aluminum thermostat housings were used in 1969 and 68's were cast iron. Is it possible that my late production 1968 is correct with an aluminum housing? Thanks for any help.

Adam-----

If the JG says that, then I think the JG is incorrect on this point. All 1968 Corvettes except L-88 used the aluminum GM #3877660 thermostat housing.

[Adam F.]

Re: 1968 327/ 350 Corvette Thermostat Housing?

My 68 is pretty much untouched with its original paint, interior, engine etc. so it would make sense that the aluminum thermostat would be correct. Should the housing be bare aluminum or painted? Thanks, Adam

[Michael G.]

Re: 1968 327/ 350 Corvette Thermostat Housing?

My 68 is pretty much untouched with its original paint, interior, engine etc. so it would make sense that the aluminum thermostat would be correct. Should the housing be bare aluminum or painted? Thanks, Adam

Adam,

Many of the answers to the questions you have or may have can many times be answered in the NCRS judging manual applicable for your car. Great reference tool. If you don't own one, consider the purchase. You'll be knowledge ahead.

[Adam F.]

Re: 1968 327/ 350 Corvette Thermostat Housing?

I have looked at the NCRS judging manual and it states that cast iron was used in 1968 and aluminum in 1969. That is where my question lies. Do to a late production 1968, my car could very well have been produced with the aluminum. Thanks

[Joe L.]

Re: 1968 327/ 350 Corvette Thermostat Housing?

I have looked at the NCRS judging manual and it states that cast iron was used in 1968 and aluminum in 1969. That is where my question lies. Do to a late production 1968, my car could very well have been produced with the aluminum. Thanks

Adam-----


It doesn't matter if it's late or early. All 1968's except L-88 used the aluminum thermostat housing.

1967 Corvettes with L-79 did use the cast iron housing, but that changed for 1968. I would not rule out the possibility that very early 1968 Corvettes with L-79 used a cast iron housing but I HIGHLY doubt it.

Strange thing: 1967 Corvettes with L-79 used an aluminum intake manifold and cast iron thermostat housing. 1968 Corvettes with L-79 used a cast iron intake manifold and aluminum thermostat housing. Chevrolet must have wanted to ensure that galvanic corrosion potential was maximized in either case.

[Adam F.]

Re: 1968 327/ 350 Corvette Thermostat Housing?

Joe, thanks for the information. Your observation on the intakes from 67 to 68 is interesting and it is nice knowing that my 1968 is indeed correct with the aluminum housing.

[Adam F.]

Re: 1968 327/ 350 Corvette Thermostat Housing?

Should the aluminum housing be unpainted or should it by chance be painted? I see photos in the 68-72 Fact Book by Dobbins that shows a painted thermostat housing on the small block with cast iron intake and the big block photos with aluminum intake shows the bare aluminum housing. What is correct?

[Paul B.]

Re: 1968 327/ 350 Corvette Thermostat Housing?

....having owned a 5 Star Bowtie '68 L-79 w/43K miles and also the '68 model year being my favorite C3 and looking at probably several hundred '68s, many very original ones, I've yet to see a "cast iron" T-stat housing on a 1968 Corvette(at least one that looked like it was there since the car was new, anyways).

[Alton J.]

Re: 1968 327/ 350 Corvette Thermostat Housing?

I agree ^^^

[Joe L.]

Re: 1968 327/ 350 Corvette Thermostat Housing?

Should the aluminum housing be unpainted or should it by chance be painted? I see photos in the 68-72 Fact Book by Dobbins that shows a painted thermostat housing on the small block with cast iron intake and the big block photos with aluminum intake shows the bare aluminum housing. What is correct?

Adam------


On engines with cast iron intake manifolds (i.e. all 1968 small blocks) the thermostat housing is painted engine orange with the rest of the engine. On engines with aluminum manifolds (i.e. all 1968 big blocks) the thermostat housing is left natural aluminum (except L-88 which used a cast iron thermostat housing).

So, what about 1968 L-88 which used an aluminum manifold and a cast iron thermostat housing? The thermostat housing was painted with aluminum paint.

[Adam F.]

Re: 1968 327/ 350 Corvette Thermostat Housing?

Many thanks to all that provided information. The opinion is unanimous that the 1968 thermostat housing is aluminum.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1968 327/ 350 Corvette Thermostat Housing?

....having owned a 5 Star Bowtie '68 L-79 w/43K miles and also the '68 model year being my favorite C3 and looking at probably several hundred '68s, many very original ones, I've yet to see a "cast iron" T-stat housing on a 1968 Corvette(at least one that looked like it was there since the car was new, anyways).

Paul------


If you ever do see one the chances are great it was installed by someone who thought that 1968 L-79 was "just like 1967". They're wrong.

Also, the correct 1968 upper radiator hoses will not work well with a cast iron thermostat housing. That's because the aluminum 3877660 was "angled up" whereas the cast iron 3827369 was not. The hose can be made to work, but it's not "right".

[Jim T.]

Re: 1968 327/ 350 Corvette Thermostat Housing?

Should the aluminum housing be unpainted or should it by chance be painted? I see photos in the 68-72 Fact Book by Dobbins that shows a painted thermostat housing on the small block with cast iron intake and the big block photos with aluminum intake shows the bare aluminum housing. What is correct?

Adam my original owner FEB built 1968 L79 327/350 has a aluminum thermostat housing GM 3877660 and it is painted.

[Jeff P.]

Re: 1968 327/ 350 Corvette Thermostat Housing?

While on the subject,what was used as a gasket.was it silicone or cork? Thanks,jeff