Thermostat for 59AB

[qmdv]

I do remember some place reading that the hot set up for a 59AB thermostat was the Robertshaw 330 - 180 deg. I bought some NOS on ebay some time ago and now it is time to install. I understand they need a slight modification to make them work. I cannot remember where I read what to do.





Been a long time since gas stations had these on the shelf

[blucar]

A word of caution. Prior to installing any thermostat you should place the stat in a pan of water on a stove, using a thermometer bring the water temp up to establish when the stat starts to open and when it is fully open. Turn the stove off and observe the stat closing as the water cools.
Some people like to drill a hole, about 1/8-3/16" in the flow control disk as a makeshift bye-pass.. In my mind the hole is un-necessary. I can't ever remember doing such a thing when I worked in the automotive repair field during the mid '50's
I have attached a pix of a pair of flat-head stats which fit into the upper hose in lieu of into the head.

[flatjack9]

Looks like there is no way in the world that you can use that thermostat.

[V8COOPMAN]

Have you lost your freakin' mind? You damned-well better get that rusty ol' greasy car crap out'a Momma's pot and off her stove! DD

[qmdv]

Originally Posted by flatjack9

Looks like there is no way in the world that you can use that thermostat.

Am thinking the same as you. But dang I am pretty sure I saw a post on this forum or the Hamb about making these work after some trick massaging. I have not been very successful in my search

[alanwoodieman]

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I have seen those installed in the hose at the radiator, remove the flange??

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by qmdv

Am thinking the same as you. But dang I am pretty sure I saw a post on this forum or the Hamb about making these work after some trick massaging. I have not been very successful in my search

A couple of ways....once you find t-stats a little smaller in diameter than what you show...DD


Like Bored&Stroked described in another thread..."Me, I just use a 1" length of stainless tubing that sits on-top of each thermostat (The OD of the tubing is the same as the hose ID). Then I put a second hose clamp to hold it in place. Super simple to setup and works flawlessly."



Or, ya can do something like this (except a LOT neater) and secure with hose clamp.

[qmdv]

The stats I have are 2" diameter at the flange and 1 1/2 at the small end. Saying just grind an 1/8 inch all the way around the flange to give a total of 1/4 inch reduction in flange diameter.

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by qmdv

The stats I have are 2" diameter at the flange and 1 1/2 at the small end. Saying just grind an 1/8 inch all the way around the flange to give a total of 1/4 inch reduction in flange diameter.

Assuming this is what you have, or something similar, I'm afraid that if you grind 1/8" away that the upper and lower segments will fall apart in your hand with the crimped perimeter now gone. Maybe not....? DD

[tubman]

Listen to Jack; I don't think you have the right thermostats. With the price of thermostats being what they are, it's foolish to try to use something that obviously doesn't fit.

[blucar]

The box' that the stat's I have came in said they were for '32-36 Fords. They did not appear to ever having been used, dust/dirt from years of sitting on a shelf.

When I did the hot water test the starts started to open at 160, fully open at 180, started to close as the temp dropped below 180.
I can vaguely recall the stats in the 59AB in my '36 sitting in the/on the head with the hose sliding over same.

Getting ready to pull the engine to send it down to H & H for a refresh. I'll soon know just what kind of a therm is in my engine.