The Ford Barn

1929 · 12-12-2018, 12:23 PM

Took the car out for its winter exercise yesterday, for over an hour, the radiator temperature gauge was 130 to 135 with the outside temperature about 36 degrees. Is it ok to run the car that cold?, usually in the warm weather its at 160 and above.

1931 flamingo · 12-12-2018, 02:44 PM

Do you have a t/stat installed?? Concensus is you should.
Paul in CT

Synchro909 · 12-12-2018, 04:17 PM

Ditto instal a T'stat.

WHN · 12-12-2018, 04:23 PM

Model A’s, as we know, were not built or designed for thermostats.

Back in the day they would just block some of the radiator to raise the temperature.

Some owners really like to run a thermostat. That’s OK, it’s their car.

Just keep in mind that for 90 years now. Most Model A’s have been running fine without one.

For 60 years I have not used one. Never a problem, even in up-state New
York.

Synchro909 · 12-12-2018, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WHN

Model A’s, as we know, were not built or designed for thermostats.

Back in the day they would just block some of the radiator to raise the temperature.

Some owners really like to run a thermostat. That’s OK, it’s their car.

Just keep in mind that for 90 years now. Most Model A’s have been running fine without one.

For 60 years I have not used one. Never a problem, even in up-state New
York.

What you are doing is fine but I think the engine will run better and for longer in a cold climate if a T'stat is fitted.

WHN · 12-12-2018, 04:54 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Synchro909

What you are doing is fine but I think the engine will run better and for longer in a cold climate if a T'stat is fitted.

I’m to old to change, and my car is older than I am.

One of the things I enjoy most about this forum is the interchange of ideas.

Keep up the GOOD WORK!

Bill

30 Closed Cab PU · 12-12-2018, 06:36 PM

Here is another recent thread about blocking the radiator, or using a thermostat.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...ght=thermostat

When using a thermostat using/providing coolant bypass is recommended to prevent possible cylinder 4 overheating.

Y-Blockhead · 12-12-2018, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1929

Took the car out for its winter exercise yesterday, for over an hour, the radiator temperature gauge was 130 to 135 with the outside temperature about 36 degrees. Is it ok to run the car that cold?, usually in the warm weather its at 160 and above.

Regardless of how you raise the temperature, with a thermostat or radiator blockage with cardboard, to answer the OP's original question, no you should not run your engine so cold because unburned fuel, acids and water will accumulate in the crankcase that have bypassed the piston rings. You need to raise the engine operating temperature in order to vaporize these bad things and vent them out. Your engine will thank you...

1929 · 12-12-2018, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1931 flamingo

Do you have a t/stat installed?? Concensus is you should.
Paul in CT

I removed it because my rebuilder who has a great reputation, and who has been rebuilding these engines for many years, told me I should remove it, so for his experience and knowledge with the Model A, I did as he recommended.

redmodelt · 12-12-2018, 07:02 PM

160 T'stat or card board or hood blanked or radiator shutters.

12-12-2018, 12:23 PM	#1
1929 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New York Posts: 943	Radiator Temperature Took the car out for its winter exercise yesterday, for over an hour, the radiator temperature gauge was 130 to 135 with the outside temperature about 36 degrees. Is it ok to run the car that cold?, usually in the warm weather its at 160 and above.

12-12-2018, 02:44 PM	#2
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,390	Re: Radiator Temperature Do you have a t/stat installed?? Concensus is you should. Paul in CT

12-12-2018, 04:17 PM	#3
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7,496	Re: Radiator Temperature Ditto instal a T'stat. __________________ I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.

12-12-2018, 04:23 PM	#4
WHN Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Connecticut Shoreline Posts: 1,823	Re: Radiator Temperature Model A’s, as we know, were not built or designed for thermostats. Back in the day they would just block some of the radiator to raise the temperature. Some owners really like to run a thermostat. That’s OK, it’s their car. Just keep in mind that for 90 years now. Most Model A’s have been running fine without one. For 60 years I have not used one. Never a problem, even in up-state New York.

12-12-2018, 06:36 PM	#7
30 Closed Cab PU Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Posts: 2,332	Re: Radiator Temperature Here is another recent thread about blocking the radiator, or using a thermostat. https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...ght=thermostat When using a thermostat using/providing coolant bypass is recommended to prevent possible cylinder 4 overheating.

12-12-2018, 07:02 PM	#10
redmodelt Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland OR Posts: 6,340	Re: Radiator Temperature 160 T'stat or card board or hood blanked or radiator shutters. __________________ I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas!