Chevy V8 Chrome Zinc 45° O-Ring Style Water Neck

• 45° chrome zinc outlet routes the upper radiator hose in tight engine bays

• O-ring seal and mounting hardware included for straightforward installation

• Fits Chevy Gen I small block (262-400 CID) and big block (396-454 CID) engines

• Zinc construction with chrome finish handles coolant system heat and pressure

This 45° water neck creates the coolant outlet connection between the thermostat housing and upper radiator hose, with a chrome finish over zinc construction built to handle coolant system heat and pressure. The 45° outlet angle helps route the upper radiator hose cleanly in engine bays where a straight or 15° neck wouldn't provide enough clearance. An O-ring seal is included, along with mounting hardware.

This water neck is built for Chevy Gen I small block (262-400 CID) and Gen II/V/VI big block (396-454 CID) engines only — it is not designed for LS-based (Gen III/IV) small block engines, which use a different thermostat housing design. This outlet does not swivel; hose alignment is fixed at installation.

Not all Chevy small block or big block engines share identical thermostat housing bolt patterns across every model year — confirm your engine's housing bolt pattern before ordering.

Engine Applications
Fits Chevrolet Gen I small block V8s from 262 through 400 CID and Gen II (Mark IV), Gen V, and Gen VI big block V8s from 396 through 454 CID. Suited to classic and performance builds, street rods, and restorations using a matching thermostat housing bolt pattern — LS-generation (Gen III/IV) small blocks use a different housing design and aren't covered by this fitment.

Installation
Confirm your thermostat housing bolt pattern before installing, since housing dimensions vary by engine year even within the same family. The included O-ring seals against the housing face; because this outlet is fixed rather than swiveling, hose alignment is set by the neck's 45° angle rather than by rotating it after mounting.

Does this fit LS engines?
No. This water neck is built for Chevy Gen I small block and Gen II/V/VI big block thermostat housings — LS-based (Gen III/IV) small block engines use a different housing design and require a different water neck.

Why choose 45° instead of straight, 15°, or 90°?
The 45° angle provides a larger routing offset than straight or 15°, useful when an engine bay component sits close to where a lower-angle neck would position the upper radiator hose. Choice comes down to clearance and hose routing, not engine fitment.

Does this water neck swivel?
No. This 45° neck has a fixed outlet angle and does not swivel — hose alignment is determined by the neck's angle at installation rather than by rotating it afterward.

Does this include an O-ring or a gasket?
This version includes an O-ring seal. If you need a gasket-sealed version instead, TSP's other 15° chrome zinc water neck offers a gasket/O-ring choice.

Will this fit any small block Chevy, or only certain years?
It fits Gen I small block engines from 262 through 400 CID, but thermostat housing bolt patterns can vary by year even within that range — confirm your housing's bolt pattern before ordering.

Is this a good fit for a restoration build?
Yes. The chrome-over-zinc finish and application-matched fitment suit restoration and classic builds looking for a clean appearance at the thermostat housing.