68 440 thermostat housing for AC

I’m trying to find a replacement water neck/thermostat housing that will work with the original ac compressor. The straight one will just not fit. I used this one several years ago when we first built this motor. It was from a 67 440 with ac. Now the customer is back for a variety of repairs and it has some pinholes. Does anyone know of a source for these or at least a replacement that looks close?

i am looking for something similar, although in aluminum, for the engine i am assembling for my charger.
your topic is of interest to me as well.

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65 Barracuda 273 outlet

Four seasons

Motorad

Dorman

MOPAR 1855605

Thanks. Just straight ones showed up on a 68 440 search. Ordered one at O’riellys so I should be in business.

It appears to be a 66 and earlier thing. Not sure why your 68 needs one.

That's what I thought.

Do you have the right year water pump housing?

I have an alum housing on it that should be just like the later style 68-69. The problem is the ac compressor is right on top of the water neck. These brackets are not the original one on the car. He bought this car at 17 and tossed the ac stuff. I had a 67 440 c body that we pulled the brackets from in 2001 but they are the same as 68. One of my friends bought a 68 383 with ac new. He recalls the thermostat housing had the angle to it as well. We pulled this housing we have now from that same 67 440, but it has pinholes in the hose connection.

are those housings iron or aluminum ?

The one in my picture is steel. The one I just picked up from O’riellys is by Murray and the two halves of the casting do not line up good. I ordered another to see if it’s better. It’s aluminum.

thanks mark. aluminum is what i need. i'm not concerned about how the casting lines up, as i'm going to blend, or remove the lines, then blast to blend that area in.
could you please tell me the maker and part number, if possible ? TIA !

The two halves do not line up so it may leak if you don’t work the parting line some with a burr. Don’t know if you can see that in this picture. I ordered another to see if this is just one bad casting or the whole run is bad. The part no is a Murray 84805.

thanks for the part # !
i see what you mean on the sealing surface. thanks for pointing that out as well.
will be interesting to see how the other one you ordered compares.

The other one I ordered has the same flaw but not as bad. I’d try another brand and not the Murray.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/64-65-66-6...g-1855605-NOS-Rare-part-WOW/383031671465

Just what he wanted, another rusty, pitted used piece at inflated pricing.

I would use that piece anyday over some china junk. Overpriced at $24 please!

I just paid $105 for a very nice nos one off eBay. It’s actually for my 65 Plymouth cop car with no AC.

Wow. NOS. That is exactly what I have. I would have bought that if I would have seen it before I ordered the one I got. It’s just surface rust. Mine cost $22 and is made overseas. I think the one I bought will last ok. It is installed and fits. My customer just let it sit for 15 plus years after we restored the car with no maintenance and everything rusted and corroded up on the inside. Antifreeze does not last forever.

Another option could be to sandblast the housing and fill the pits with JB weld. I've used it on many cars over the years with great success

As controversial as it may sound, I use straight antifreeze in my personal cars. Zero corrosion. It doesn't cool as well but in Illinois it never gives me problems. Years ago I drove out west to the desert. Car started to run a little hotter than I was comfortable with so I drained and added some water for the rest of the trip. Back to straight antifreeze when I got home.