1939 lasalle thermostat

[cadillacking408]

I have a 39 Lasalle with a 322 aND I just wanted to make sure the thermostat is located behind the water pump before I take it off,please let me know thank you

[joeceretti]

The 39 LaSalle has no thermostat per say, as far as a modern water flow thermostat is. It was made with a shutter actuator mounted in the front of the radiator. If you find a thermostat behind the water pump I want a photo of it. 

[cadillacking408]

Ok so what your saying joe is that the 39 Lasalle doesn't have a thermostat to stop the water flow,so the water is constantly flowing?, and the thermostat that's on the radiator top does that only control the shutters in front of the radiator?

[joeceretti]

Yes, the shutters stop the airflow. It essentially does the same thing.... BUT unless you are in cold weather and driving your antique and need heat, the shutters are not needed. I bought a set for mine for the sake of authenticity but I have them disconnected from the thermostat so they stay open. My engine temp stays in the proper range at all times.

[cadillacking408]

Ok that helps alot joe I'm just learning about these cars, so essentially the water on these old flat heads are constantly flowing or does the shutter thermostat stop the water?

[joeceretti]

No, just the airflow.. it essentially does the same thing... but I think the real change was due to economics... an inline thermostat would be a lot cheaper than the shutters.

[cadillacking408]

Yeah  the only thermostat I could find was $500 I think I'll do an in line one like say,thanks for the help

[joeceretti]

An inline thermostat won't work properly in these engines.. note the double return to the radiator... later years combined the returns into one with a T.... this was clearly a work around so the engineers could incorporate an inline. You don't need a thermostat.

[cadillacking408]

Ok  thanks i won't put one

[gary griffin]

I owned a 1950 Mercedes in 1960 when I was stationed in Germany.  It had the shutters also but they were manual with a control in  the dashboard.

I know the automatic push rod thermostat is quite expensive but I would consider a  manual conversion be crafted.

[joeceretti]

I have been thinking about converting mine to manual as well.