Topic: '66 289 thermostat housing

[socalgt]

Is the thermostat housing different on a 289(San Jose built) with smog than without?  I'm asking because I see them advertised as without smog.

[lancelot66]

Nope. They're the same for both. I see those out there too on eBay sometimes. There wasn't anything configured in the housing differently that would be needed for any of the thermactor pieces, brackets, etc. No provision for a sensor at the top...

[socalgt]

I couldn't think of anything in the smog system that would require a different housing either.

                                                          Thanks

[jwc66k]

You should use the aluminum housing with a pocket. It was the common housing used until 68 when a temperature sensor was required and a cast iron housing was developed. Naturally there are two (at least) type of cast iron housings, one with tapped and threaded hole for the sensor, one plain - no hole but with the raised spot for the hole. There are also two (at least) aluminum housings, one with the thermostat pocket, and an earlier one without the pocket for manifolds with the pocket cast in them. The castings for early should be C3OE- and C4OE- and the later with the pocket C5OE -.
Jim
 

[lancelot66]

Jim did a better job with answering your question. Here are are a couple of pics of the C5OE housing ('65) showing the Pocket/recess he talks about. This is the aluminum. original Sheffield version, Ford oval, etc. Scott Drake's current version is pretty nice but just has the part number, same location, just not the Sheffield or Ford oval stamp (obvious reasoning), otherwise, it's configured perfectly if you need one. Believe most of the good parts houses, referred to in the forum often, carry his housing.

[jwc66k]

While we're on the subject, here's pictures of the early version of the housing. Note the second picture depicting the lack of a thermostat recess. And also note the C3OZ- service part number, and the C4OE- casting number. Ford has little rhyme nor reason in their transition from production numbers to service numbers. Hey, as long as it works.
Jim