1940 LaSalle Radiator Thermostat

[csearider]

Anyone have information on the Radiator Thermostat that I removed from my 1940 LaSalle? The one that moved the radiator shroud vents. What years did it cover and did the Cadillac for same years carry the same thermostat? Also I know there are folks that refurbish these and would appreciate info on having such done (where to send it).

[Don Boshara #594]

Same for '39 thru '41, except series 90. Bill Hirsch has them, but they ain't cheap. $285. I think someone rebuilds them, but I can't remember who or how much.

[csearider]

yes, I too remember there was someone in the forum that said they were capable of rebuilding them but cannot remember either

[Doug Houston]

Don't know what information may be available, but they were made by Fulton Sylphon. Try looking up on Google. Ya never know.

[Jeff Maltby 4194]

You know Doug, so tell us @ evasive @ com ?

:<)

[gary griffin]

I trust Eddie Jones to sell good salvage parts he has been doing it a long time and is a great source ov knowledge and parts of that era. Telephone 612-558-2629

By the way many of us contribute to the foreums to share our knowledge and assist others and sometimes we add a little levity to the situation.

No need to give the "Cow Died" bit!!!!!

[csearider]

I do appreciate the reply and the information. I know someone that has a termo that needs repair and will forward this info to them when I talk to them  today.
Last time I looked for one of these the supply was limited and the prices were very healthy. It will be good to keep things from being thrown away that can be saved.

Thanks!

[buicksplus]

I have a '37 and '40, both with thermostats that look like yours.  I have not checked to see if they will interchange.  I think they will.  I think they used them on earlier models and later models (up to 1948) too.

The thermostat on my '40 worked for years but eventually stopped working.  IMO these gadgets are interesting but hardly worth repairing.  When they work they open the shutters very quickly, I never saw a situation in my '40 when they actually regulated the temperature.  I suppose it might do that if you were driving in very cold weather in the winter.  Not many collector cars experience that.

So, we operate our '40 with the shutters wired open and the engine runs just fine that way, pretty much as it did when the thermostat was working.

My '37 is not on the road yet but I note that the previous owner way back in the day (it was off the road since the early sixties) removed the shutters completely.  On a '37 the shutters are impossible to see without removing the grill, and I am leaving mine shutterless for now.  I don't expect that to be a problem.

You do need to have at least a non-working thermostat to fill that huge hole in the radiator, so don't throw it away!

[csearider]

Thank you so much for the detailed inf...I really appreciate it

[gary griffin]

To Buick Plus,  $1 was the last year of shutters, While I am restoring a 42 Cadillac I found out that someone had put an earlier motor in it and a Shutter type radiator which I exchanged with Eddie Jones for a correct 42 to 48 radiator.