Thermostst

K

kqa3637

Junior Member
I am new to Model "A's" and have a question about cooling... I now own a 1930 Fordor town sedan...
Do all Model "A's" have a thermostat installed somewhere within their cooling system? Or, none at all?
Thanks ahead of time...
 
Originally had no thermostat. Over the last 85+ years, a lot (but not all) of Model As have had them installed one way or another.
 
... Originally they did not come with them
Through extensive testing it has been determined that adding a stat is beneficial...
Do some searches "thermostat"
 
Stock Model A run cooler than optimum temp. Adding an inline 180 degree thermostat in the top of your upper radiator hose will make your car run better. Go to any online Model A Ford part stores and you will find what you need. Happy motoring.
 
I recommend a 160 and that's what the majority run...unless your running a hot water heater you may need it to run hotter depending on the efficiency and design of your heater setup
 
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I'm using a 160 thermostat and I have hot water heater. Was kept warm at
OAT of 12* F a few days ago.
 
Look at what Vintage Precision sells. For approximately $100 you get a nice housing and a 160 degree thermostat that fits in perfectly on the head. It also has two threaded ports for a heater and thermo probe if you want. Last week they were backordered for a few weeks.

Vic
 
Vic in E-TN said:
Look at what Vintage Precision sells. For approximately $100 you get a nice housing and a 160 degree thermostat that fits in perfectly on the head. It also has two threaded ports for a heater and thermo probe if you want. Last week they were backordered for a few weeks.

Vic
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Like this:
 

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I'm interested Bill. What brand and part # did you use? Or from what model vehicle. I'd like to give that a try.
 
Don't know what kind of thermostat this is but, goes from low to alcohol to hot, I set it at mid point for the summer and hot for the winter. The air blows out at 160° on the hot setting.
 

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As others have already stated fresh from Ford no thermostat was used. In colder climates the engine will not get hot enough to effectively burn off any moisture that collects in the engine. You will pull the dip stick to find your oil looks a little like chocolate milk. A farmer fix was to put a piece of cardboard or wood in front of the radiator to reduce cooling in the winter to effectively bring the motor up to temp. They even made louvers that opened and closed and mounted in front of the radiator. Today just slip a sleeved thermostat in the upper radiator hose. If you live in a warmer climate where freezing temps are rare then you may not need it. I would dare say there are a considerable amount of cars without them. I personally like the way it gets the engine up to temp.
 
Get one.
Bill is right (post 11), except it's not the cheap way, it's the smart, quick way.
 

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bettlesr said:
Don't know what kind of thermostat this is but, goes from low to alcohol to hot, I set it at mid point for the summer and hot for the winter. The air blows out at 160° on the hot setting.
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Bettlser,
I've used those on Model A's & Flathead V-8's & even John Deere Cotton Pickers. Don't remember the Brand Name?? Wonder if they're still available??? On Flathead V-8's, with 2 temp gauges, we could even match the temps of both banks, as they would run cooler on one bank. In all my years, I've done some WEIRD S**T!!
Bill W.
 
Bill:
I looked a while back when you asked me, I can't find any names or other information on the thermostat. It does work great though, I'm going to crank it up to high before I take it out tomorrow. It's supposed to get to a high of 10° tomorrow.
Dick
 
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