Re: '38 Waterpump Question

Posted by Peter Packard On 2007/11/5 1:53:18

G'day Mal, I have been thinking about that by-pass hose from the head outlet fitting to the rear of the head and I am not convinced that it will make the engine run cooler at all, as it simply by-passes the radiator and makes the pump less efficient at getting the water to the top of the radiator. I have always felt that one of the Packard Plusses was a decent size radiator. A simple experiment of blocking off the hose would test the theory, except that your car has a temperature gauge fitted in the hose itself, whereas Packards ran their gauges from the rear of the head. See if one of the guys in Sydney, Wade or Peter Lewer has an infa-red thermometer and check front and rear head and block temps after consecutive couple of minute runs, with and without the bypass operating. I am confident that it will run much cooler if the coolant is running through the radiator core. It would also be better to get the blocked-open shutters working as it will certainly run too cool in winter, use more gas and sludge up the motor. Best regards and love the detail pics of the pumps. Peter