What is so special about the 500 HP Thermostat housing that you can't find an aftermarket piece?

Or is this more mis-information?

A friend is rebuilding a carb 500 HP and needs a T-stat housing, he was told its a Merc only part. Why?


Kirk

Pantera24-220HP,

Check www.cpperformance.com

I've seen a couple of stat housings over the years, but all you really need are the inlet-outlet hose conns. and the hose connections to the exhaust. CMI told me that some of the exhaust systems with water inlets to both manifolds and risers were done to facillitate warming up the engine. The "cold" water flows to the risers, the preheated water to the manifolds. I read something on this board about the cold water/cast alum manifolds as well.

220HP Huh...We'll see this summer, that Fountain only does mid 80's right!!

So can we simply replce the stock 500 HP Tstat housing with an aftermarket?

Several suppliers and shops have said no, that the manifold is a different configuration. I'm trying to help a friend - Mark johnson from the Boat Club.

Hi Kirk,

Have him check with Keith Brommelkamp, Water & Wheels, Inc. 815-363-9782 He's the man. He may even have a surplus part or two. He's got a complete HP500EFI intake plenum in his storage.

If the manifold is a different config, which I doubt, what could be different? The bolt center dist? I believe the HP 500 carb motor uses a Dart intake manifold. We can always mofify the stat housing in a Bridgeport. Let me know what you find.

Mark