Which Thermostat Housing????
 

I am repowering a SBC/Alpha set up and need a thermostat housing. I expect to pay around 200.00 for one, but I don't know which one will best fit my application. I am running Stainless Marine dry exhaust, so I only need 2 outlets to the ex. manifolds. Any help would be appreciated.

Re: Which Thermostat Housing????
 

go to tricks web site and geta crossover an t sat for about 250 bucks
http://www.trickmarine.net/productde...id=933&incat=6

http://www.trickmarine.net/productde...id=561&incat=6

Re: Which Thermostat Housing????
 

I've been very happy with my Rex Marine T stat housing, i've got it plumbed w/o a crossover but you could set it up that way.

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/1...overac6.th.jpg

Re: Which Thermostat Housing????
 

You can buy the block offs and cap two of them off. Merc sells them.

Cuda, what do you mean by block offs? I have the original housing, but it is in really bad shape. That is why I am looking into a new one.

I would prefer to keep the circulation pump on the motor for fear that the pump in the outdrive would not be enough to circulate water through the motor. If i was converting to a sea pump and pick up I would go the crossover route.

Has anyone ran the Stainless Marine housings made to run with a circulation pump?

hardin marine or c.p performance will be able to supply you with anything you need at a competitive price. so will teague or rex..

Run the Stock Newer one from Merc. The bolts Go straight through on the Iron ones and the Stainless ones have to use 12 pt bolts or Allen cap screws that bolt around a flange to the manifold. I have some. I use them all the time. Only 2 hoses to manifolds. No leaks, no checkballs that hang up.
BBB

This is the one you want
 

One's on e-bay, but way overpriced. You can get a polished stainless one from Sierra for $140 I can get the stainless one for less through my account. I have a black SS merc take off used for way less with bolts and gasket and t-stat. Pm Me if interested... Otherwise I'll end up using it on something in the spring. BBB

Stainless Marine has the best on for use with a circulating pump. See 'stainlessmarine.com'

Here's the block off I was talking about. I had the old log style exhaust that had SIX hoses coming off the housing. I ended up scrapping the block off, and y piping hoses together, and got a cross over and a housing with only two fittings coming from it. Mine has a seawater pump, I might be a little concerned about circulation with an Alpha pump supplying the water.

The other pictures are what I went to.

I will stay away from the cross over setup. I really like the looks of the stainless ones but looks and function are two different things.

BBB, will the stainless Sierra housing work fine with an alpha setup?

I am using the one from S/M and I can say it is a nice unit

It should work fine . Make sure you have the 3/4" water tube in the transom assy. If not the older alpha's had 5/8" tubes and also the fittings in the bellhousing and hose were smaller. Make sure pump is perfect in the Alpha. make sure there are no kinks or restrictions. Use free flowing fittings on the manifolds, like the old style merc bronze ones with a big sweeping elbow. Avoid hardware store stuff, unless you smooth out the insides of it with a die grinder.
Try to make both manifolds run close to the same temp. sometimes due to casting differences one side may run hot due to the other side flowing more water. I've put ty wraps on the side that was running cooler to restrict flow and evened it out.
Don't rely solely on the temp sender in the intake.
I recommend bying a hanheld laser thermometer. $40 from harbor frieght. This gives you a better idea of how to pinpoint where problems or restrictions are.
I like to cut the hose in the transom and block it off in the boat and install 1- 1/4" thru Hull, strainer and engine driven raw water pump. Ya can't beat it. Although a buddy of mine swears by the low water pick up Bravos.(still needs a pump)
If drive water pumps were so great we would see them in #6's and Konrads. The biggest reason why I dislike outboards. BBB