IMO...if your running an unpainted aluminum intake, I'd leave it bare. If you have painted cast iron intake (or painted aluminum for that matter) I'd paint it to match.

 

Ihad mine powder coated crinkle black when I had intake manifold and air cleaner lid done.

 

I prefer mine to match the intake. I suspect painted would be more original but I'm not the guy to ask on that.

 

On 65 the thermostat housing was painted with the block with the bypass hose, damper, oil pan and exhaust manifolds, Intake manifold, all installed. Of course you can run it how ever you want. Not sure but I assume 66 was the same, just a different color...

 

 

The thermostat housings were originally painted the same color as the block originally...As were the intakes. I tend to agree with the above, If you have an aftermarket aluminum intake, I wouldn't paint it, and just leave it or paint it natural or go with a chrome one. If your intake is original and painted block color, Paint the thermostat housing the same color as the block as was original.

Tony K.

 

I painted mine blue like Harleydave's. I have an Edelbrock Performer 289 intake, but it still looks good blue next to the brushed aluminum look of the intake.

 

Don't run the chrome ones, they suck, or should I say leak. You found that out. I paint them the same color as the intake, whatever that might be. If it is an aluminum intake I would leave it aluminum. You can buy them at the parts store. The ones I have been getting are cast iron.

 

I paint them. Even with an aluminum intake, the contrast looks good and it looks as if it was installed in '66 or whenever. It would be painted and you would be installing it on the aluminum intake.

 

I currently have a chrome housing on there, they do suck, I have never been able to get it to seal correctly. I do like the look of it painted with an aluminum intake. I'll probably go that route also because I may go to a cast iron intake later on.