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

Hello all, the top radiator hose on my 29 popped so i took it off to replace it and when i looked in the Thermostat housing i noticed there is no thermostat. given that i am new to cars made before 1950 should there be a thermostat or were they not in use at this early a time? if there is supposed to be one where can i find the correct one to install.

thanks, Dave

What you think is a thermostat housing is just a simple hose connection. You should have a thermostat in the top radiator tank that controls the radiator shutters. They control temperature by regulating the amount of airflow thru the radiator. Very common arrangement on older cars, and on Packard (some models) thru 1942. Often called a Pines Winterfront.

Hello Dave, According to my 29 service manual the 640 has the same thermostat as a 626. It is known as the thermostat sylphon and is located in the housing above the head that the upper hose attaches to. The 640 as well as the 626 also has the shutter thermostat located on the front side of the radiator top inside the grill shell. If your car has a side mounted water pump, would you please provide the fanbelt numbers and mfg, usually stamped or printed on the flat outside of the fan belt.

Owen, i know about the shutter thermostat and mine works fine thank god. what i am trying to find out is if there is a copper/brass thermostat for the engine like the ones used on cars today.


Jim, my water pump is on the front just above the crank pully. i looked and could not find any numbers.


thanks guys, Dave

I believe Packard recommend a thermostat in the cylinder head coolant outlet housing in addition to the shutter thermostat for cold weather operation. Que no?

(o{I}o)

Yes, if you read the 38 Eight shop manual as an example there is a discussion on the combined use of the shutter thermostat and a water outlet stat for winter use when equipped with a hot water heater.

But in the earlier years when the thermostats (shutter) were limited to 160 degrees because of the prevelant use of alcohol antifreeze, hot water heaters weren't very efficient in colder weather, thus the popularity of the hot air heat exchangers like the Kelch which had considerable popularity on the higher-end cars.

Along those lines you might find the attached article interesting (at least I hope so).

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thanks guys, what i will do now is try to find out what thermostat i should get and where to get one.

Owen, thanks for the article. i printed it so i can start looking for one at the swap meets next year.


Dave

Hello Dave, Have located my parts book and the thermostat that goes in the head is composed of multiple parts including a valve head, seat bellows and other items which all attach between the upper water outlet casting and the cylinder head. From what I see in the parts book, the array of parts are rebuildable if you can locate a complete assy. I looked thru the residue of three 29 Packards yesterday and could not find one. Still hope to find one for myself.

I have a hot air heater on my 26 Model T touring that has a register in the front and back floors. It is made in such a way as the design could be incorporated in most any vehicle and it is absolutely safe. Here is how it is made. It has a large diameter flex tube about 3+" that you fit over the exhaust pipe after removing the muffler to get it on. There are two alum. end pieces that split and fit around the exhaust pipe and the flex pipe, these are held together with 1/4" screws. Rear piece has a opening that corresponds to a pipe running down from the register. Front end piece comes apart the same way, has a hole corresponding to the top register and an additional forward aimed 45 degree pipe. A flex pipe is attached to that elbow and runs up to the front of the motor behind the fan where it has a funnel shaped end to catch air. System works great and cannot ingest exhaust fumes. It was made by the Kunkel Manufacturing Co. Hart MI.

Dave, why do you want to run two thermostats? This seems like an unnecessary complication unless your shutter thermostat is not functioning or you are going to be driving you Packard in cold weather.

(o{I}o)