Well, after so much tuning (megasquirt2) and general work getting my TPI'ed 350 in my Jeep ready for the long weekend (Canada- Victoria Day) I've pootched up the thermostat housing...

What has happened is that I originally used the thermostat that I had in a previsously carbed 350. I have a big block chevy conversion rad in my Jeep but still have cooling issues. I then went to NAPA and looked at a 92 Vette/Z28 thermostat and discovered that it was totally different looking. I'm attaching a pic showing my broken housing and the two thermostats. Is the Vette t-stat supposed to be so long? It barely fits into the cavity in the manifold. Also, it has a rubber seal around it that does not allow the bolt hole ears in the thermostat housing to bolt flush to the manifold face and this is what caused the ear to break off.


What's wrong and what is correct with all of this?? Thanks everyone,

 

I wonder I found the mix-up. NAPA sold me a thermostat for a 92 vette to fit my 92 Z28 tpi... I wonder if there is a subtle difference? Checking around I found vette listings for thermostats up to 91, then a number change for 92 onward for a few years.