Looking For Thermostat Housings

[jstolte]

The attached photos are the thermostat housings off my boat, which is a 1967 Chris-Craft Crusader 36'. The engines are Chevy 350 cid. Both are re-manufactured engines, one from Jasper the other from Blue Star (I think).

The original engines in the boat were Chris-Craft (Chevy) 327s. These re-powers happened long before my time and there is no one that I can find that knows anything about when or how or what was actually done with these. These parts may have come off the original 1967 327 engines, and transferred to the new engines.

As you can see they suffer from some serious corrosion and I would like to replace them. I’m terrified of the thought of removing them without first having replacement parts.

I would like to replace them with the same parts if I can find them, but so far no luck. I am not opposed to using a different part, as long as it fits and works fine.

I have talked to many marinas and marine mechanics and have emailed pics to several marine engine parts dealers with no luck. Everyone just says they can't find one like that in their (probably current) catalogs.

Any help anyone can give in locating/providing these parts will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[jahearne]

Sorry, the ones I have are different; they're off a 1965 283/327. I did notice off a repowered Mercuriser that had a similar thermostat housing only it was more of a v-shape not directly opposite hose outlets like your picture.

[jstolte]

Thanks John. We have looked through all the catalogs, and even at Mercruiser. So far no luck in finding one.

[evansjw44]

That looks to me like the add on thermost that was put on early 283s. Do these engines have a circulating pump and a raw water pump? The 327F has both and the t-stat housing is very different. If your engines have straight through cooling, that is no circulating pump, then you have the add on. Jim Staid might have one or Peter Henkle or Earl Stilson.

[jstolte]

The engines are fresh water cooled. There is a water pump that I assume circulates the FRESH water. The exhaust is raw water cooled. I guess they that has a pump too.

I'll look to see if I have better picture of more of the engine. Maybe in my survey... If I find something that I think might be helpful, I'll upload it.

Thanks

[jstolte]

Attached are engine pics from my pre-purchase survey. I hope that helps shed more light on the issue...

[gbraker]

Well you have a closed cooling system, so you would have to have a raw water pump for the heat exchangers that would dump into the manifolds. You will also have a circulation pump to pump antifreeze through the heat exchanger secondary and throughout the engine. Wait for the reply from Jim Evans, I'm sure he will have additional info.

Gary

[jstolte]

Thank you Gary.

[jahearne]

Attached are engine pics from my pre-purchase survey. I hope that helps shed more light on the issue...

Send these pictures to Robert Henkel at Chris-Craft-Parts.com. Peter's son is running the shop now and is very good at it.

[jstolte]

As recommended, I contacted Robert Henkel and he was indeed very helpful. You've got to like a guy who tells you that you don't really need what you're trying to buy from him

I learned that the parts I was worried about are Bronze, so therefore nothing to be concerned about. I had been concerned about removing them to clean up without having a replacement already.

Robert has the parts, so shortly I will remove the parts and clean them up. Should the worst happen, at least I know I can call Robert and get some replacements.

Thank you Robert and everyone who contributed.

[63constellation]

John where are you keeping the boat?I am in Deltaville,maybe we can get together.Ther is a 67 46' Connie that was sunk there may be some parts left from her.8042471755

[jstolte]

Thanks. I might be interested in scavenging for other parts from that too.

My boat is in Callao, off the Potomac River. We have several old Chris-Crafts at our marina.

Give me a call some time.. 804-370-5541