Heater hose shutoff valves, '40 LaSalle

[John Barry [CLC17027]]

As you read this, my '40 has a pair of small shutoff valves for the lines to/from the heater.  From all I can tell, these are angle valves with a male pipe thread on one port, and (I believe; not sure!) a tube stub on the other port, at right angles to the male pipe port.  (There's a female port in the cylinder head on the passenger side in which one of these valves is installed, and a similar female port on the intake to the radiator where the other is installed.)

I recall that the manufacturer has a name something like "Wilco", but I can't find any markings on the valves to confirm this.  Can anyone confirm/correct this, and tell me who sells these, please?

And while I'm at it, the male pipe threads appear to be ¼" pipe.  This is particularly important should I choose to modify the cooling system hose configuration similarly to what Walt Brewer suggested in his column a number of years ago.

Thanks very much.

[Don Boshara #594]

I got mine from the local NAPA store several years ago. I only installed one at the radiator neck cause I haven't figured out why two would be needed, although two could be correct.

[Jim Stamper]

     I bought one shutoff from Chevy's of the Fortys or Fifty's, I think they are called and the other from my local Napa store.

     My reasoning for two shutoffs is so in the event of a hose or heater core leak the coolant can be completely shut off from the heater system. One reason anyway.

                                                Jim Stamper CLC#13470

[Jim Beard]

What is the modification to the cooling system hose configuration that Walt Brewer had suggested? I cannot seem to find it anywhere.

[John Barry [CLC17027]]

I don't have the pertinent issue of The Self-Starter in front of me, but Mr. Brewer called for a jumper hose from the rear port head on the rear of the driver's side (i.e., the port that normally gets the temperature sending unit) to the corresponding port on the passenger side.  I do recall that in the article, he (Brewer) mentioned that he did that to his '41 Cadillac, and that in a somewhat lengthy test under mid-summer parade conditions in the Denver area, the engine temperature did not exceed ~185°F. 

It doesn't seem like it would be too involved, in my opinion: a couple of galvanized ¼" pipe tees, a pair of close nipples, a pair of short nipples, some hose, and a few clamps (the tees would accommodate the temperature sending unit and a heater valve).

[Brad Ipsen CLC #737]

The NAPA part number for this valve is 660-1402.  I think it is 3/8" NPT.

[Jim Beard]

Sounds like a good modification if the motor is running hot.