1929 senior packard radiator shutters

Posted by John Wogec On 2013/8/14 15:09:59

Hi all,

I am back at the oracle to be educated by those who know. I am working on the thermostatic shutters on my car (1929 Seven Passenger Sedan). There are small "u" shaped steel strips (about an eighth of an inch wide) welded about every six inches around the perimeter of the shutter frame...right where it would otherwise rub up against the back of the chrome plated radiator shroud. They stand straight out from the shutter about a quarter of an inch (havent measured them exactly) Well, besides most of them being bent into grotesque shapes, several of them have been torn off completely....no doubt I will be re-shaping and welding these little critters back on.

Here is my question...what purpose do they serve? Were they the early version of weatherstrip clips? If so, where do I find the weatherstrip, and what was it made of? If not, are they just spacers to keep the shutters from rattling against the shroud? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

John Wogec