Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

I am pleased to recommend a skilled craftsman who rebuilds shutter bellows, thermostats and heat gauges for most all classic automobiles and soon will be doing hydrostatic gas gauges and sending units. His name is Jim Otto and he has many years of experience. Phone 865-966-9494. He reworked the shutter thermostat and heat gauge for my 626 and the same for a friends 29 and does quality work.

The thermostat for the radiator shutters can be easily repaired if the bellows are still intact. I repaired the bellows on my 1929 633 about 8 years ago and it is still working. There is a small hole that has been soft soldered closed, which if my memory serves me correctly, is on the hexagonal nut. I simply drilled a 1/16" dia hole through this and injected about one teaspoon full of ether into the bellows then soldered the hole closed. However it is only a matter of time before the old bellows suffer fatigue cracks and then it will be beyond repair unless suitable replacement bellows can be found. So, if the above repair includes new bellows then that is the way to go, otherwise it is a temporary fix
I have since made a new shutter thermostat using a modern wax filled thermostat from a large industrial diesel engine for another 1929, this works better than the repaired one which opens prematurely probably due to my having put too much ether in it.

David,

Can you supply some more information on this topic, I am in the midst of replacing my sylphon and am always looking at other options.

I have a sketch and some photos that I have tried unsuccessfully to attach to this post so if you let me have your e-mail address I will try again.

Sound great, the wax option intrigues me, I look forward to your email.

I guess you guys know the earlier series used a different Sylphon that the 33 (and perhaps 32) and up? As far as the early type goes, of course they can often be repaired but the only person I know who has them remanufactured is Automotive Restorations in NJ.

New bellows are installed. He also builds them for some of the major peddlers.

Hobbs, I have sent you a direct e-mail with details of the "new" thermostat. Let me know if you do not receive it. My attempts to "Attach file" never work, otherwise I would have posted it here.

Jim Otto 865-966-9494 repairs these.