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

please is there anybody who could explain me how to find the heater valve? My car has got heater radiator with fan to defrost windscreen, and a radiator with fan underneath driver seat. I wonder how the water circuit is opened and closed? I can not find any valve or switch. I guess something went lost over the decades? thank you very much in advance for your reply, best regards Josef

Until 48 when Packard first used an inside controlled thermostatic valve, heaters could be equipped with a manual valve located at the water outlet on the center of the head. In spring drivers would turn the valve off and in fall turn it on. If the car was not equipped with the valve then water circulated thru the cores year around and the only control was to close any outlets and not turn the fan on if no heat was wanted.

Here is a photo of a typical heater valve but there were different style valves used over the years.

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Dear Howard, thank you. In understand now how it works. yes my car has got one tap like you show on your picture. it is fitted in the head. Ok i understand. open in winter, closed in summer. no chance to switch it from the cabin. thank you very much for your reply!! best regards, have a great day! Josef

There is a cable controlled valve that can be used to operate the flow of coolant through the heater core(s). It fits and connects like the one Howard pictured, and will require routing a choke-like cable from inside to operate. It provides variable flow. Any good auto supply store should have one or be able to order. Something to consider. JWL