I started cleaning and painting my thermostat housing to be reused on my 355 build. I noticed that the bolts were different sizes, but with this car, it didn't surprise me. The part that worries me is the housing bolt holes being two different sizes as well. I'm running a new Edelbrock intake otherwise I would reuse all the wrong bolts and not worry. Should I just replace this housing with a new one or will the housing work with the correct bolts?

 

Sounds like someone stripped out the threads and tapped it bigger on one side. Your new intake will have two holes that are the same

 

Yeah, they were a pain to remove, probably didn't use anti seize. The right sized bolts may not work due to one opening being larger. My cause sealing issues. I'm guessing.

 

Eh. Use a washer.



- Eric

 

Didn't think of that...

 

I started cleaning and painting my thermostat housing to be reused on my 355 build. I noticed that the bolts were different sizes,
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different diameters or lengths?


The part that worries me is the housing bolt holes being two different sizes as well.
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ah, diameters. Someone fixed the one stripped hole. Not an issue with your new intake.


I'm running a new Edelbrock intake otherwise I would reuse all the wrong bolts and not worry. Should I just replace this housing with a new one or will the housing work with the correct bolts?
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The [presumably] slight difference in bolt hole diameter will not be much trouble. Use a tight-fitting small diameter [SAE type] washer [as found on the fuel pump upper stud]- one on each bolt will make it look less hokey- or just get a replacement water neck. I have dozens of good used ones. Cast iron or AL type.

 

I'd get a replacement waterneck and use the right bolts. If it's an aluminum waterneck it probably needs replacement anyway!