Edelbrock Performer 289 Intake question

[luke-ao]

Just checking to make sure this is the port for my water temperature sensor. The casting looks like it's attached to the thermostat housing so I assume it is. Edelbrock seems to be devoid of information and nothing came up on a net search so I thought I would check here. Thanks.

[sargentrs]

While I'm used to seeing the temp sensor mounted in the location I've circled in red, the port you have pointed to is also in the water jacket of the intake and can be used for it.

[luke-ao]

The part you circled is just a 'dimple' in the casting.

[sargentrs]

Correct. But I have seen it drilled and tapped as a port.

[luke-ao]

Ahh, thanks. I just went with the existing threaded hole.

[Ranchero50]

Yeah, either / or. You really don't want to be on the outside of the T-stat since it'll give you a false reading when it's closed. Make sure you put a 3/16" restriction port plug in the heater hose so the truck warms up quicker.

[RottenAppleRed]

Off subject...your pic isn't zoomed out enough for me to see, but what fuel filter are you using? I ask because AFB style carburetor users like myself, commonly make the mistake of using a glass housing with mesh element. It is my mission to alert as many folks as I can about the issues with that style of filter. They allow sediment from the tank to pass through to the AFB fuel bowls. The particles come to rest at the lowest point of the bowl...the primary jets, eventually clogging them. Any paper element filter will prevent this. I, like a lot of gearheads like to see the fuel in the line, so I run a clear plastic housing with a paper element and metal outlet. They can be bought at any auto parts store. Sorry for the hijack.

[luke-ao]

Update.

So we down the proverbial rabbit hole looking looking for a thermostat housing with a sensor outlet. Every small block housing I found got bad reviews from the cheap $10 units up to the $100+ ones made in Australia, plus I wanted the completely avoid the cast iron housings that are all made in China. I would have paid the $100 for the high end ones but they had far too many bad reviews. So I said screw it, I'll make my own.

This is CNC machined from 6061 billet, oring seal on the housing to intake and the bypass hose nipple. I ended up with far too many hours into the design and fitment but shes dead nuts and I'm completely satisfied with the end product!

Thermostat Housing 302 a.JPG

Thermostat Housing 302 c.JPG

Thermostat Housing 302 e.JPG

[luke-ao]

A few more pictures

Its hard to see in the picture but oring seal sizes are engraved inside the housing.

Thermostat Housing 302 f.JPG

Thermostat Housing 302 g.JPG

[Ranchero50]

That turned out well. A lot of work for something so simple. Now sell them for $25 and ship them for free like all the other Chinese eBay vendors do...

[luke-ao]

Yea, there's no way I can make those for $25..

But I would pit this against the best on the market.

[sargentrs]

That's just plain cool you could do that!