The Ford Barn

bobgreco · 05-07-2011, 01:49 PM

I read the posts on thermostats and understand that some use them and some don't. What I am wondering is whether they came with one from the factory?

Aerocraft · 05-07-2011, 04:10 PM

It is my understanding that they were not factory original equipment. Gar Williams

1931 flamingo · 05-07-2011, 04:15 PM

Time's two.
Paul in CT

Special Coupe Frank · 05-07-2011, 07:09 PM

FYI - while the Model A did not have a thermostat from the factory.

Contemporary Lincolns did, and Cadillac and Packard both used "water-throttling" Thermostats ( as opposed to radiator shutters) since 1914 and 1916 respectively.

And Ford began using them in the V-8 by the mid-1930's.

SC Frank

glenn in camino · 05-07-2011, 07:19 PM

They are not original equipment, but if you live in a cold climate, and drive your Model A in winter, they do warm up your engine in a few miles. I have one, 160 degree, that I bought from Brattons in my deluxe delivery that I run year around. The cooling system is clean and the radiator has been recored.

Bill Steiner · 05-07-2011, 08:32 PM

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Not org. I don't use one, but I do live in Texas and not much cold weather. Bill

bobgreco · 05-07-2011, 08:33 PM

Many thanks as always!

Special Coupe Frank · 05-07-2011, 09:18 PM

After replacing the head-gasket in my '28 Coupe, I also replaced the water outlet, as the original one had a broken mounting ear that had been brazed.

I got a replacement that has a 1/2" NPT tapping, and installed a mechanical temperature gauge under the dash.

Ran the car all summer long w/o a thermostat - would take the car a good 1/2 hour of running to get up to 140* F , and it rarely went above that.

That's really too cool for efficient operation and greatly contributes to condensation in the crankcase, which aren't ventilated very well to begin with in a Model A.

In late September, as the weather cooled, my engine wasn't even breaking 120-130*. I installed an "upper-hose" thermostat from Bratton, 160 *.

Now my engine is up to operating temperature in a couple miles / five-eight minutes.

We 've had some pretty warm days this spring, and I've run it hard - stays around 160*, never exceeds 170*.

Can't imagine running one w/o a stat now.

SC Frank

JtownJoe · 05-07-2011, 11:05 PM

Ditto, I have to use one to keep the tepm. in the 160 to 180 range.

John LaVoy · 05-08-2011, 09:07 AM

Several years ago we did an article in the Model A Times explaining the need for a thermostat because of the fuel blends being sold today. The engine has to be above 160 degrees to get a complete clean fuel burn.

05-07-2011, 01:49 PM	#1
bobgreco Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 222	Thermostats I read the posts on thermostats and understand that some use them and some don't. What I am wondering is whether they came with one from the factory?

05-07-2011, 04:10 PM	#2
Aerocraft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Naperville, IL Posts: 1,387	Re: Thermostats It is my understanding that they were not factory original equipment. Gar Williams

05-07-2011, 04:15 PM	#3
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,428	Re: Thermostats Time's two. Paul in CT

05-07-2011, 07:09 PM	#4
Special Coupe Frank Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northeast Penna Posts: 2,108	Re: Thermostats FYI - while the Model A did not have a thermostat from the factory. Contemporary Lincolns did, and Cadillac and Packard both used "water-throttling" Thermostats ( as opposed to radiator shutters) since 1914 and 1916 respectively. And Ford began using them in the V-8 by the mid-1930's. SC Frank

05-07-2011, 07:19 PM	#5
glenn in camino Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Camino, CA. Posts: 3,086	Re: Thermostats They are not original equipment, but if you live in a cold climate, and drive your Model A in winter, they do warm up your engine in a few miles. I have one, 160 degree, that I bought from Brattons in my deluxe delivery that I run year around. The cooling system is clean and the radiator has been recored.

05-07-2011, 08:32 PM	#6
Bill Steiner Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 263	Re: Thermostats Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Not org. I don't use one, but I do live in Texas and not much cold weather. Bill

05-07-2011, 08:33 PM	#7
bobgreco Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 222	Re: Thermostats Many thanks as always!

05-07-2011, 09:18 PM	#8
Special Coupe Frank Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northeast Penna Posts: 2,108	Re: Thermostats After replacing the head-gasket in my '28 Coupe, I also replaced the water outlet, as the original one had a broken mounting ear that had been brazed. I got a replacement that has a 1/2" NPT tapping, and installed a mechanical temperature gauge under the dash. Ran the car all summer long w/o a thermostat - would take the car a good 1/2 hour of running to get up to 140* F , and it rarely went above that. That's really too cool for efficient operation and greatly contributes to condensation in the crankcase, which aren't ventilated very well to begin with in a Model A. In late September, as the weather cooled, my engine wasn't even breaking 120-130. I installed an "upper-hose" thermostat from Bratton, 160 . Now my engine is up to operating temperature in a couple miles / five-eight minutes. We 've had some pretty warm days this spring, and I've run it hard - stays around 160, never exceeds 170. Can't imagine running one w/o a stat now. SC Frank

05-07-2011, 11:05 PM	#9
JtownJoe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Johnstown, PA Posts: 343	Re: Thermostats Ditto, I have to use one to keep the tepm. in the 160 to 180 range.

05-08-2011, 09:07 AM	#10
John LaVoy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rocklin, CA Posts: 1,219	Re: Thermostats Several years ago we did an article in the Model A Times explaining the need for a thermostat because of the fuel blends being sold today. The engine has to be above 160 degrees to get a complete clean fuel burn.