blucar
Well-known member
Following all of the contributions on an earlier thread regarding the pro's/con's of the need for thermostats in a Ford flat-head engine, I went looking through my stash of parts to see if I had any thermostats for the '32-36 Fords, that being what the original question was about.
Low and behold I found a pair of '32-36 stats in a box of early Ford V8 parts. The stats appeared to be NOS or possibly units that had only been used for a very short period of time.
I decided to test the stats, using a pan of water on a gas stove with a thermometer. Photographed the test as it progressed:
The stats started to open at 155 degrees.. Pix 1.
50% ... open @..... 160 d Pix 2.
75/80% open @..... 170 d Pix 3.
Max open @..... 180 d
Since the stats were at least 50% open @ 160 I would have to assume that they are 160 degree stats.. The 75-80% open at 170 is probably a normal variant of this type of a thermostat..
I ran the test three times to make sure the findings were accurate..
The design of the '32-36 stat would in my mind suggest that it was a better design for fluid flow, than the later '37-53 type.. Of course the "bellows" type of a thermal coupling might be more fragile than the later spring type.
The "nut" coupling the billows/flapper links together could indicate that the assembly could be adjustable.
Low and behold I found a pair of '32-36 stats in a box of early Ford V8 parts. The stats appeared to be NOS or possibly units that had only been used for a very short period of time.
I decided to test the stats, using a pan of water on a gas stove with a thermometer. Photographed the test as it progressed:
The stats started to open at 155 degrees.. Pix 1.
50% ... open @..... 160 d Pix 2.
75/80% open @..... 170 d Pix 3.
Max open @..... 180 d
Since the stats were at least 50% open @ 160 I would have to assume that they are 160 degree stats.. The 75-80% open at 170 is probably a normal variant of this type of a thermostat..
I ran the test three times to make sure the findings were accurate..
The design of the '32-36 stat would in my mind suggest that it was a better design for fluid flow, than the later '37-53 type.. Of course the "bellows" type of a thermal coupling might be more fragile than the later spring type.
The "nut" coupling the billows/flapper links together could indicate that the assembly could be adjustable.
