USINGATHERMOSTAT.......OR NOT?

Posted by Ken Smith on April 15, 1998 at 15:30:24

I purchased a February 1929 Tudor Sedan last September and for the most part have had very few major problems with it. KNOCK ON WOOD!
After Christmas... I pulled the engine to replace the clutch pressure plate and in so doing discovered a thermostat in the upper hose. I DID NOT PUT IT BACK IN BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT TO BE UNNECESSARY. Perhaps I was wrong!
A couple of weeks ago I ran the Tudor out to the country and it started misfiring and getting hot about 20 miles out. The temperature outside was about approaching 80 degrees F. The "A" was running at about 42-45 MPH the whole way on fairly level terrain. After stopping because of experincing steady to occasional misses(not backfiring)...I did add about a cup of antifreeze (Sierra) to the radiator while the engine was idling...I THOUGHT THE ENGINE WAS HOT! I started out again and ran for approximately two more miles. When I pulled into the farm the radiator boiled over...but he engine was still running. Thank goodness I had arrived at my final destination!
This entire problem makes me wonder if I should have left the thermostat in. Did the previous owner know something that I did not know? He explained recently to me that he had no such problem anytime with overheating on a long trip or short trip for that matter. Me neither!
Q-Why would it be necessary to put a thermostat into a Model A cooling system? WHAT BENEFITS ARE THERE TO USING A THERMOSTAT? Should I order a new thermostat like Bratton's Antique Auto Parts sell? See part number A-8257 on page 48 of Walt Bratton's new blue cover catalog? He says that most Model A owners use the 160 degree thermostat instead of the 180 degree one? The old thermostat that was in the "A" when I bought it is the 3 prong style that clamps to the water neck. Since last September..I ran on this thermostat with no apparent problems before my clutch overhaul in January. I do not know what degrees this old thermostat is.
Q-Does the number of horizontal fins on your radiator have any relevance on whether or not you need a thermostat? I count 6 horizontal fins per inch on this radiator. BTW...I notice that the radiator on my 1930 CC has more vertical tubes per inch than the 1929 Tudor Sedan has. Are these vertical tubes a factor to consider?
I would appreciate having a number of you guys or gals out there make a comment about this because I think there must be many owners who have wondered the same thing about using thermostats!

Follow Ups:
Re: USINGATHERMOSTAT.......OR NOT? DJ.Voyce April 17, 1998 at 14:46:54(0)
Re: USINGATHERMOSTAT.......OR NOT? H. L. Chauvin April 16, 1998 at 18:42:37(0)
Re: USINGATHERMOSTAT.......OR NOT? Bob Bidonde April 16, 1998 at 08:30:30(0)
Re: USINGATHERMOSTAT.......OR NOT? Joe April 16, 1998 at 07:38:27(0)
Use a themostat Bob Carabbio April 15, 1998 at 23:28:20(0)
Re: USINGATHERMOSTAT.......OR NOT? Bob Johnson April 15, 1998 at 17:38:29(0)

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