Are factory thermostat housings really worth this much?

[GrandpaKevin]

I just took apart one of my factory big block water pump housings yesterday including removing the factory aluminum water pump housing and thermostat.

I plan to sand blast the thermostat housing and have the water pump housing hot tanked at my local machine shop.

In looking at E-bay I was surprised at what some sellers are asking for original factory aluminum thermostat housings.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/MOPAR-THERMOSTAT-HOUSING-2780970-1967-71-CHARGER-GTX-CUDA-CHALLENGER-HEMI/352644861943?epid=1442103696&hash=item521b458ff7%3Ag%3Ak44AAOSwQmJcxzUp&LH_ItemCondition=4

I know Tony's is selling repop ones but are originals really bringing that much?

[HP2]

Asking and getting are two separate things.

Of course there is the online and ebay crowd that is  not always willing to find the best value and buy whatever they find for simplicity sake.

[BIGSHCLUNK]

   Not on my planet...

[anlauto]

Nowadays I would never use a used one....thanks to Tony, brand new ones are $40 http://tonysparts.com/newproductsE.htm (scroll down)

[GrandpaKevin]

Nowadays I would never use a used one....thanks to Tony, brand new ones are $40 http://tonysparts.com/newproductsE.htm (scroll down)

The only issue with Tony's repops, like stated in the e-bay ad, is the font and other factory markings are not correct, and for some restoring an all original car this might be a concern.

[Bullitt-]

Is sandblasting aluminum a good idea? 
I'd be afraid of damage  or at least losing detail

[JS29]

Is sandblasting aluminum a good idea? 
I'd be afraid of damage  or at least losing detail

Glass bead blasting would be a much better chose! 

[anlauto]

Nowadays I would never use a used one....thanks to Tony, brand new ones are $40 http://tonysparts.com/newproductsE.htm (scroll down)

The only issue with Tony's repops, like stated in the e-bay ad, is the font and other factory markings are not correct, and for some restoring an all original car this might be a concern.

I didn't realize YOU were building a concourse OE correct car, and since you asked the question, I thought you were just looking for a new thermostat housing 

[GrandpaKevin]

Nowadays I would never use a used one....thanks to Tony, brand new ones are $40 http://tonysparts.com/newproductsE.htm (scroll down)

The only issue with Tony's repops, like stated in the e-bay ad, is the font and other factory markings are not correct, and for some restoring an all original car this might be a concern.

I didn't realize YOU were building a concourse OE correct car, and since you asked the question, I thought you were just looking for a new thermostat housing 

No I actually use a shiny aftermarket housing with an O ring that has never leaked for me.

I wanted to get a good value estimate on these original housings as I was planning on cleaning up a few of the ones I have sitting around and putting them on E-bay for half of what the others are selling for.

So do you use the repops ones with the incorrect font when you do an OE restoration?

[1 Wild R/T]

[anlauto]

Nowadays I would never use a used one....thanks to Tony, brand new ones are $40 http://tonysparts.com/newproductsE.htm (scroll down)

The only issue with Tony's repops, like stated in the e-bay ad, is the font and other factory markings are not correct, and for some restoring an all original car this might be a concern.

I didn't realize YOU were building a concourse OE correct car, and since you asked the question, I thought you were just looking for a new thermostat housing 

No I actually use a shiny aftermarket housing with an O ring that has never leaked for me.

I wanted to get a good value estimate on these original housings as I was planning on cleaning up a few of the ones I have sitting around and putting them on E-bay for half of what the others are selling for.

So do you use the repops ones with the incorrect font when you do an OE restoration?

I've NEVER done an OE restoration

[TONY]

Nowadays I would never use a used one....thanks to Tony, brand new ones are $40 http://tonysparts.com/newproductsE.htm (scroll down)

The only issue with Tony's repops, like stated in the e-bay ad, is the font and other factory markings are not correct, and for some restoring an all original car this might be a concern.

Do you realize that there were at least 4 different (i'm sure theres more) thermostat housing castings used and that they had different fonts?

do you you really think i just used a generic font on the thermostat housings i made??

When you start to reproduce parts you find out that there were MANY variations of the same part, fewer differences permitted with trim type parts. but i've found 3 different versions of the 68-70 b-body a-pillar trims, even identified on the mold as "mold 1" "mold 2" or "rev a"

i could go on and on, like over 10 different jack handle variations, lower leaf spring lengths and fonts and cuts, etc, etc

look at 8-3/4 rear end center cases, big block waterpump housings, etc etc

So my point is please dont say or agree a repro part is incorrect because it doesnt match 1 or even 2 examples youve seen, because it may match a sample you havent seen

[anlauto]

Well said 

[GrandpaKevin]

Nowadays I would never use a used one....thanks to Tony, brand new ones are $40 http://tonysparts.com/newproductsE.htm (scroll down)

The only issue with Tony's repops, like stated in the e-bay ad, is the font and other factory markings are not correct, and for some restoring an all original car this might be a concern.

Do you realize that there were at least 4 different (i'm sure theres more) thermostat housing castings used and that they had different fonts?

do you you really think i just used a generic font on the thermostat housings i made??

When you start to reproduce parts you find out that there were MANY variations of the same part, fewer differences permitted with trim type parts. but i've found 3 different versions of the 68-70 b-body a-pillar trims, even identified on the mold as "mold 1" "mold 2" or "rev a"

i could go on and on, like over 10 different jack handle variations, lower leaf spring lengths and fonts and cuts, etc, etc

look at 8-3/4 rear end center cases, big block waterpump housings, etc etc

So my point is please dont say or agree a repro part is incorrect because it doesnt match 1 or even 2 examples youve seen, because it may match a sample you havent seen

Are you saying there were original Mopar thermostat housings made with the exact same 2780970 font as the repop ones you are selling?

[TONY]

YES!