Heat Riser valve: UP or DOWN???

Posted by Packard Newbie On 2018/5/10 11:55:15

The heat riser valve on my '39 Six was rusted frozen in the 'weight down' position when I got the car. The spring is missing. I was able to free up the valve with rust penetraters and it flops up and down very freely now. My initial take was that the 'down' position was the valve being closed and that the spring would heat up and lift it open, then as it cooled off, the weight would pull it down. I subsequently wired it in the 'up' position so it wouldn't over heat and at some point posted same here on the site. Somebody said that was incorrect and I removed the wire. The guy helping me with the car now, thinks it should be wired up - can somebody give me a definitive answer???? The manual says the proper function of the valve is critical to the engine operation and I agree. I guess the other question would be 'does anybody know where I can find a spring??? I am guessing the way the spring would install would make the answer self explanatory. Thanks to any answers....