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01-15-2021, 06:46 PM | #1 |
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Location: Upstate NY
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Benefits of a thermostat?
Is there a benefit of using a thermostat if my model a doesnt have a heater?
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01-15-2021, 07:21 PM | #2 |
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Re: Benefits of a thermostat?
Your opening a can of worms.
I have never used a thermostat in any Model A. We lived in Homer, New York for years. Put car away in early November. Out again in late April. Enjoy. |
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01-15-2021, 07:42 PM | #3 |
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Re: Benefits of a thermostat?
The thermostat isn't about the heater, it's about getting the engine up to operating temperature more quickly so it runs cleaner. Even folks who don't use a thermostat, in most cases they've done something to adjust the cooling system, such as putting cardboard in front of the radiator, having the radiator cleaned, replacing it with a new one, etc. But there are also plenty of folks who just ignore it and their car runs OK.
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01-15-2021, 07:48 PM | #4 |
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Re: Benefits of a thermostat?
The simple answer is yes.
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01-15-2021, 09:29 PM | #5 |
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Benefits of a thermostat?
There are a couple of popular choices. I run this one, and it works great. Plus, it has a nice connection I can use to connect my temperature gauge.
http://www.vintageprecision.com/ I formerly used one like this, which goes into the top radiator hose. This model tends to migrate inside the hose toward the radiator over time. https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/P...earchByKeyword Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
01-15-2021, 09:54 PM | #6 |
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Re: Benefits of a thermostat?
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01-15-2021, 10:16 PM | #7 |
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Location: Upstate NY
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Re: Benefits of a thermostat?
I have to remove the radiator hose anyway to remove the water outlet to install the temp gauge probe. While its torn apart i will also be replacing a poorly designed aftermarket front motor mount with the original style. While its all apart i think i might as well throw in the style that mounts inside the radiator hose. I suppose its easy enough to remove it if need be.
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01-15-2021, 10:44 PM | #8 |
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Re: Benefits of a thermostat?
If you put a 3rd radiator hose clamp on the upper hose, right where the thermostat is installed, you can prevent it from moving up the hose over time.
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01-15-2021, 11:11 PM | #9 | |
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Re: Benefits of a thermostat?
Quote:
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01-15-2021, 11:17 PM | #10 |
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Re: Benefits of a thermostat?
See other threads, many opinions. The Model A has no bypass system like later and modern cars do to circulate the coolant until the stat opens. Hot spots can potentially occur with stagnant flow until the stat opens.
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01-16-2021, 12:07 AM | #11 |
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Re: Benefits of a thermostat?
I drilled two 1/8 holes in my stat so there could be some flow immediately.
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01-16-2021, 12:34 AM | #12 |
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Re: Benefits of a thermostat?
Henry hired the best engineers of his time, and I run all my A’s completely stock, so I’ve never seen a need. I trust the engineers, and my cars are still reliable and run well after 92 years. I don’t think I can improve them.
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01-16-2021, 07:24 AM | #13 |
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Re: Benefits of a thermostat?
This is what my engine rebuilder said, so I removed the thermostat, and just use the cardboard in front of the radiator for the winter months.
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01-16-2021, 08:13 AM | #14 |
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Re: Benefits of a thermostat?
All thermostats should have a small hole to provide some circulation before it opens. The Model T was a thermosyphon system so the water didn't start circulating before the engine got warm. The Model A is a hybrid system, a thermosyphon with a water pump. The original system worked well without a thermostat but I think the thermostat improves things for all the reasons stated above.
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01-16-2021, 08:53 AM | #15 |
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Location: Upstate NY
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Re: Benefits of a thermostat?
I will be adding the temp gauge so i think i will wait and see what temp my A runs at as is. It is easy enough to remove that hose if i find that i want it. And after all $12 saved today is a extra $12 to spend tomorrow.
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01-16-2021, 06:33 PM | #16 |
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Re: Benefits of a thermostat?
It just came to mind that the factory recommended oil change was 500 miles, so sludge build up of the period (non deterg) oils would possibly be lessened if the A's ran cold when produced.
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01-16-2021, 06:46 PM | #17 |
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Re: Benefits of a thermostat?
May I ask...so what if it moves up in the hose? Mine has the big skirt, not the three fingers.
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01-16-2021, 08:04 PM | #18 |
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Location: Upstate NY
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Re: Benefits of a thermostat?
Im thinking it should be as close as possible to the head so the thermostat reads a more accurate temperature rather than the heat having to travel up the hose for it to open. Which is another good reason to have some water flow even with the t-stat closed to help get the hot water to the t-stat. Just my thoughts though.
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01-16-2021, 08:07 PM | #19 |
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Re: Benefits of a thermostat?
vintage precision
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01-16-2021, 08:12 PM | #20 | |
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Re: Benefits of a thermostat?
Quote:
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01-16-2021, 08:34 PM | #21 |
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Re: Benefits of a thermostat?
I've run one early on when I got into Model A's. Every car has had a thermostat since sometime late 30's early 40's and like one of the other post mentioned it's to keep the engine at 160 or what ever the thermostat is that you put in. There's lots of items on the Model A that weren't available back in there day. The fact that "insert bearings" are available like Ford went to years after the Model A and again, every car has them now. I was sending insert bearings to people 30 years ago when I worked for "Clevite" Engine Parts, we had many machine shops that were inserting Model A's. Now there readily available from all the suppliers. It's internal and no one knows that an engine has inserts.
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01-16-2021, 09:09 PM | #22 | |
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Re: Benefits of a thermostat?
Quote:
If I'm reading this right the opposite is true. A cold running engine will actually produce far more sludge than one with a thermostat that keeps it at 180 or so. Sludge is caused by unburned fuel diluting the oil plus the presence of moisture from condensation. These contaminates will evaporate out of the oil if the engine is allowed to get up to proper temperature (180 or so) and driven for about 30 min. or more. |
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01-17-2021, 08:47 AM | #23 |
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Re: Benefits of a thermostat?
I Just looked at the photo of the thermostat from Snyder's and it appears that there are already two small holes present in the housing to prevent air block and hot spots.
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01-17-2021, 10:50 AM | #24 |
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Re: Benefits of a thermostat?
I just installed a Vintage thermostat and; so far, I love it. I was running hot, so I installed engine pans and the she couldn’t get up to 120F LOL. I tried the cardboard without success, so now I have a 160F thermostat and that’s where she stays. I live in south Alabama and I haven’t yet tried her in the summer heat. If that becomes an issue, I’ll make a post on it.
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01-22-2021, 11:05 PM | #25 |
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Re: Benefits of a thermostat?
I run a 180 degree thermostat and so far it runs at 180 in the summer, but struggles a bit to get up to 180 in the winter. Overall the car gets up to operating temperature much quicker and runs a lot better. Since most of my trips are less than an hour long I have not experienced any of the overheating issues in my number 3 and 4 cylinders that have been documented by some people.
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