Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

Is the thermostat housing on a 1951 Packard 288 engine, is it cast iron or steel? I see it needs a little repair and was wondering if I could weld it.

John

It is steel

Thanks BDeB....

Be careful, if it's got rust blisters, weld won't stick and will burn through bad. I had to cut down to good metal and fab a new neck out of an exhaust adapter. I couldn't find anyone selling NOS or repro and they're weird bolt pattern size and nothing fits. I looked at hundreds of necks to try to find one.
U might try brazing or other low temp repair but no guarantee there either. I guess they could make one on a CNC machine.

I brazed some rust holes shut in mine, it's on the edge of servicability for now, pretty thin. Kanter sells a cast version, comes as a package with a thermostat.

So Cal region of PI used to carry repro cast brass housings. Are they out of stock or no longer sell them?http://www.packards-today.com/catalog.php?CID=7

What does the retainer ring look like? Mine was off the engine with no thermostat in it. Does it require a special thermostat to fit in the neck?
John

Max has a photo of the ring on his website.

There is nothing special with the thermostat. Just has to fit the housing and ring goes under and catches on some bumps or lips in the housing to hold it up in position. I believe there is an xref number for a modern thermostat.

Thanks Howard, at least I know what I'm looking for. There are a couple of boxes of stuff in the car. John