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Here is a button removal procedure that shows an original (presumably) looking 120 horn button...you can google search and look at other examples on the web

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1937 Packard 120 Horn Button Removal.pdf Size: 238.92 KB; Hits: 20

I just came across this picture from several years ago where a NOS horn button was being sold. Definitely looks like a gloss finish and would appear to be black.

correct, gloss black.

I’m going to ask here rather than hi-jack another post.

TxGoat and I were providing information regarding a 282 water pump and the topic of thermostats came up. I know that in the time my dad had the car, it only ever had one thermostat, being the Sylphon thermostat for the grill louvers. I know that all CD versions of 120s got the thermostatically controlled grill louvers.

I had previously assumed that you would only have one thermostat or the other…ie head or grill louvers. But, now that I look at the parts list, it appears that my car should have both thermostats. Can anyone confirm this?

Now, I don’t think I’ll add the thermostat at the head as I don’t plan to be driving the car when it is very cold out. It just seems odd that Packard would have used both thermostats as it doubles the possible point of failure related to thermostats.

Anyway, I’d just like to know out of curiosity. Those with a CD….does your car have both thermostats?

I can't say what Packard did, but I believe that using both the correct water outlet thermostat and the thermostatic shutters would be advantageous in any weather, but especially in cold weather and/or short trip service. The system holds over four gallons of coolant, with about half of that in the water jacket. The thermostat, when closed, would allow that smaller volume of coolant to come up to temperature more quickly, while the bypass would assure even warmup of the engine and help get some heat to the engine crankcase sooner. The thermostatic shutters would prevent a blast of cold air into the engine compartment and would allow a warmer underhood environment and intake air while the engine was coming up to running temperature. Having a thermostat at the water outlet offers advantages beyond coolant temperature regulation by preventing air leaking in at the water pump seal, preventing cavitation in the water pump, and by providing some pressurization of the block and head at higher engine speeds. The car heater would also function sooner and better. The thermostatic shutters provide most of the advantages that thermostatic fan clutch provides in later model cars. (Or a thermostat-controlled electric fan) My choice, were parts readily available, would be to install both the correct water outlet thermostat and the thermostatic shutters on my car.

.... "I had previously assumed that you would only have one thermostat or the other…ie head or grill louvers. But, now that I look at the parts list, it appears that my car should have both thermostats"......

I would take that to mean that Packard used both the thermostatic shutters and the water outlet thermostat on the 120 CD cars.
I don't see where either one would conflict with the other, and it appears to me that each would compliment the other.

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Yeah, I agree. I don't think Packard would have listed both in the parts list if it was an "either or". I just hadn't really thought about it until our previous discussion.

At any rate, it really isn't a big deal for me not having the thermostat at the water outlet since I really don't plan on driving often in weather where I'd need the heater. I may install it, but it will low on my priority list

The engine would prefer to run at about 180 F all the time.

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Yes. The thermostat should be 160, but the car will run a little warmer. The thermostat will only help the engine get up to temperature a little faster. That is better, but not a huge deal, either.

Now, I did have another thought. My car is currently in a million pieces at the body shop, including the radiator being out. So, it would make sense to go ahead and install the thermostat now rather than having to drain coolant again later.

So, next question. I see that the NAPA #70 thermostat is listed in the cross reference for 1938. Is it also good for 1937? NAPA's site indicates that it is, so I'm assuming that is correct.

From there, I have read other places a while back that the modern thermostats don't allow as much flow as the originals. Is that true? What thermostat is everyone running in their 1937 120s?

That's a good question and I recall some mention of drilling a small hole in the thermostat flange for some bypass so great if someone can revisit that here.