Feel stupid asking

[turbohunter]

But, does anybody know of a quality billet or chrome or some nice looking thermostat housing for my mustang. Since it’s right up front it has to look good.
They’re expensive so I’m looking for some first hand knowledge.
The two I’ve seen are the Billet Specialties and the Canton. They’re o ring deals. Do they work?
I’ve only used oe iron types before so this is a new world for me.
I guess I could work on an iron one, as in sand it and paint it black, but I think I would like to explore new stuff.
Thanks in advance.

[mike7570]

There are a bunch of them on Ebay. I need one also and I'm leaning toward plain aluminum, I could always paint it the block color later.

[cleandan]

https://www.flashpowerparts.com/billet-for-ford-fe/280-billet-swivel-thermostat-housings-water-neck-ford-fe-125-.html

This is the look of many offerings you can find for the FE thermostat housing.
I know they used to be available in silver/clear, black, red, blue.
There are, or at least used to be, a number of companies selling this same design.
Some have their logo engraved in the part while others leave them plain.

There is an O-ring seal for the hose connection (screws into place) as well as an O-ring seal for the base.
If the intake area is good they seal up nice and give no troubles.
Because the hose connection screws into place it can be exchanged for different sized hoses too.

[cattleFEeder]

They work well,  they seal up good but they ones I have used are only 1.5 inch outlets, make it tough to match hoses up. I like these way better https://www.ebay.com/itm/O-E-Style-High-Volume-Ford-FE-352-390-427-428CJ-Aluminum-Thermostat-Housing/283866740462?hash=item4217c6b6ee:g:yWoAAOSwuxFY3Yq3

[turbohunter]

Thanks guys.
I ended up going for the aluminum standard looking deal off of eBay.
The seller is local to me in case of trouble and the look matches my raw aluminum. Also standard hoses will fit.
I’m trying to stay as much as possible away from the show car look and just be super sano.

[cleandan]

I firgot to mention.
NEVER feel stupid asking a legitimate question.

In this instance which is really more stupid?

Asking a direct, legitimate, but maybe simple question?

Acting as if you know already, making the purchase, installing the part, only to find out said part really is not so good and you now have to repair the damage from the so-so part, as well as refix the original issue once again?

[turbohunter]

Thanks
I was half kidding. But it’s just one of those parts that you overlook. I was just thinkin how stupid to overlook ANY part on your engine.
But you are correct, legitimate questions are never stupid.
Thanks for your thoughtfulness.

[turbohunter]

Wow, hit the nail on the head.
It says it’s stress relieved in the add. If it doesn’t leak and doesn’t deform it’s a really nice piece.

[FElony]

I have an actual stupid question that has nothing to do with cars. What is "pawpaw"? Now Marc, you live in my old 'hood, ever hear that? A couple years ago I heard that in some vid and googled it to find it is a type of fruit in some Eastern region of the U.S. That did not make any sense at all. Seems like a lot of people, over time, were good friends with some fruit. Hmm. Eventually, it appeared to me that pawpaw is a Southern term for grandfather, and must be very regional. Very. In my case, pawpaw is when my cat gives me the old left jab/right hook because I am five minutes late with din-din.

So, what is a great grandfather? Pawpawpaw? How about his wife? Mawmawmaw? Anybody here live in pawpaw territory?

I couldn't let you claim stupidity without my two cents.

[turbohunter]

Can always count on you
I always thought it was a southern grandpa.

[wowens]

Or. You could go down to the paw paw patch and see if Nellie is picking paw paws.
Or. If you can find a paw paw bush, the fruit is Delicious.

[FElony]

Or. You could go down to the paw paw patch and see if Nellie is picking paw paws.
Or. If you can find a paw paw bush, the fruit is Delicious.

When the bars open back up, I'm going to go over and ask the women if they have any delicious paw paws I can taste. Who knows, after them being cooped up for months, I might get lucky.