Can't find correct water neck

[MrJLR]

Can someone help me find a darn water neck for a LA 318?
I've got 3 different ones from Summit and the bolt holes are too far apart on all of the....thermostat is wrong too????? Should be SIMPLE.....even called Summit and told them what I have and they send the wrong one...
Here is my old standard Original

And the thermostat they sent me doesn't fit up inside my old water neck either.....
I am blown away this is such a PITA......

JEFF

 

[toolmanmike]

What year?

 

[MrJLR]

What year?

The engine is a 1974 318

 

[CudaChick1968]

Let me poke around in my stash ... I've seen quite a few. The problem is I don't remember if they're mine, or customers' parts. :-D

 

[MrJLR]

Let me poke around in my stash ... I've seen quite a few. The problem is I don't remember if they're mine, or customers' parts. :-D

Than I s....I can't understand why this is so hard.....and the thermostat too...?
Do i have some rare 318 or something? Lol....

Jeff

 

[toolmanmike]

Than I s....I can't understand why this is so hard.....and the thermostat too...?
Do i have some rare 318 or something? Lol....

Jeff

Nothing rare Jeff. Most small blocks had the straight t stat housing. The earlier cars (66 for sure) had straight cast iron housings.

 

[j par]

Geez, last time I remember buying a cast one for my 318 streetmaster I bought it like at AutoZone as a stock replacement part..

 

[MrJLR]

Geez, last time I remember buying a cast one for my 318 streetmaster I bought it like at AutoZone as a stock replacement part..

Ya...I went by NAPA and Pep boy's. ...no dice....
Like I said, I'm stunned this is so hard to find.
I don't care if it's chrome or steel or aluminum. ..just needs to fit!

Jeff

 

[toolmanmike]

Stay away from the aluminums. They try to seal with a o ring and usually leak.

 

[j par]

Actually back then I was using Knecht's Auto Parts. But it was just the average run-of-the-mill Auto Part place. Maybe check and see are they out of stock or that that particular story just doesn't have one?

 

[T-N-T]

Can someone help me find a darn water neck for a LA 318?
I've got 3 different ones from Summit and the bolt holes are too far apart on all of the....thermostat is wrong too????? Should be SIMPLE.....even called Summit and told them what I have and they send the wrong one...
Here is my old standard Original

View attachment 1714951878

And the thermostat they sent me doesn't fit up inside my old water neck either.....
I am blown away this is such a PITA......

JEFF

That is a 1979 and newer thermostat housing. It uses a smaller t-stat, the same one SBC's use.

Here's a link to the correct housing. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/fss-84909/applications

 

[MrJLR]

Actually back then I was using Knecht's Auto Parts. But it was just the average run-of-the-mill Auto Part place. Maybe check and see are they out of stock or that that particular story just doesn't have one?

Thanks...I'll Google them

Jeff

 

[318willrun]

But I doubt your factory cast intake is a '74? You need the correct one for your intake, not engine. Also, there are only 2 sizes for the LA mopars, if I recall correctly

 

[67Dart273]

But I doubt your factory cast intake is a '74? You need the correct one for your intake, not engine. Also, there are only 2 sizes for the LA mopars, if I recall correctly

I believe this is true. Believe it or not I got a cast IRON one at O'Reallys. I had an Ed intake with DUAL stat bolt patterns, and a leak problem. I forget if I went with the wide or narrow "bolt pattern."

 

[318willrun]

My '73 cast intake takes the large stat

 

[T-N-T]

78 and older uses the large thermostat/housing and 79 and newer uses the small thermostat/housing. They changed it when they went with the newer style AC compressor. The later outlet is offset towards the drivers side also. Magnums use the small t-stat also but I'm not sure if the bolt pattern changed or not.

Here is an early style Torker compared to a later Torker II intake.

 

[RustyRatRod]

That is a 1979 and newer thermostat housing. It uses a smaller t-stat, the same one SBC's use.

Here's a link to the correct housing. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/fss-84909/applications

Yup. THAT ^^^^^^^^^

Here's a cheap one.

Murray Climate Control 84909 - Water Outlet | O'Reilly Auto Parts

 

[MrJLR]

Wow....thanks guys!
I had no idea they changed in 1979....!
And it seems my intake must be a '79 or newer then.....this explains a LOT!

I tried to Google my intake casting numbers but came up empty....now I know a little more.

Thanks again. ....

Jeff

 

[krazykuda]

Let me poke around in my stash ...

That sounds so good when you say it....

 

[Lelo Dart]

Four Seasons Water Outlet 84909

 

[Syleng1]

If you are looking for the one that would had been on there factory in 1974 -Tony's parts is repopping new ones with and without the casting marks and part numbers just like Chrysler made them. Like $40.00 if you interested.

Joe

 

[MrJLR]

If you are looking for the one that would had been on there factory in 1974 -Tony's parts is repopping new ones with and without the casting marks and part numbers just like Chrysler made them. Like $40.00 if you interested.

Joe

Thanks but it turns out that the one I need is 1979 or newer...

Jeff