HI my 24 t engine runs too cold (IMO) and seems to have no real sweet spot on the carb adj. I would like to to try a thermostat. Since there is no origional provision for such how do you guys or gals install one. Thanks for any info.
Bought mine from Langs a dozen years ago. IIRC, it comes with a larger gasket opening to accommodate the thickness of the thermostat. Doesn't leak, and trouble-free.
It doesn't show;
Purist police won't know.
rdr
I have installed a thermostat as Rick related, also have mounted the outlet casting on a face plate and cut a shelf for the thermostat flange. When cut it really doesn’t leave a lot of gasket surface, but never have had a leak problem. I would think if a machine shop did the cutting it would be on the expensive side takes awhile to set up accurately. I convert all the pre 26 cars to the 26 casting and fan mount
George,
Your carb adj should have a sweet spot even for a cold engine, if you dont notice a difference by adjusting the carb I would suspect your ignition system needs going through. When was the last time you had the timer off to inspect clean and oil it, clean and gap the plugs, and adjust your coils on a hand crank coil tester? Might be time.
You might also have worn valves and or a worn throttle shaft.
Hi thanks for all the advice. I have a distributor( industria argentina).Iput in new points, rotor , condenser, cap, and wires this helped quite a bit. I have even compression at about 50 #s. It still seems to run to rich at idle ( holley Nh carb) Could float level be too high? Thanks again for any advice. P.S. i have not tried thermostat yet. Ihave a180 deg one that would fit. would this be too hot? No water pump.
George,
I run the original coils, no pump and a 160 degree thermostat.
I have not had any problems. The 180 is usually used with a pump as the water moves faster through the system.
Even on thermosyphon with no thermostat the water doesn't start to expand till about 170 degrees, the thermostat helps to moderate the coolant flow and warm the coolant faster and steady the temperature.
You might try turning the needle valve clockwise till (carefully) till the needle bottoms out, then turn counter-clockwise two-and-a-half turns. Then turn back clockwise and lean the carburetor out till the engine smooths out.
By the manual, you turn the carburetor knob about a 1/4 turn, or less, to enrich to start, then clockwise to lean out as the engine warms up.
I suspect your needle valve is set too rich.
Adjusting your carb as you drive allows you to use any grade fuel especially E-85 as Henry Ford intended.
Joe R.
".. water doesn't start to expand till about 170 degrees.."
C / Density
100 958.4 (difference 80-100 = 13.4)
80 971.8 . (diff 60-80 = 11.4)
60 983.2 . (diff 40-60 = 9.0)
40 992.2 . (diff 20-40 = 6.0)
30 995.6502
25 997.0479
22 997.7735
20 998.2071
15 999.1026
10 999.7026
4 999.9720
0 999.8395
The density of water in kilograms per cubic metre (SI unit)at various temperatures in degrees Celsius. F = 9/5 x C +32
While there is less circulation due to temperature at 130F vs. 170F, the difference is slight, so an engine that runs at 170F on a warm day is likely to run closer to 130F of a cool day.
Thermosiphon without a thermostat depends on the rate of contraction in the radiator balancing the rate of expansion in the engine. Too much cooling causes the engine to run too cool.
A thermostat changes the equation to the control being the temperature at the top of the engine, with contraction in the radiator necessary, but not balanced. Any amount more than the minimum does not matter.
rdr
George,
You could always try a radiator cover. This is an original device that restricts airflow through the radiator. It is manual, using snaps to adjust the amount of air restriction. In really cold temperatures, people would also put a cover over the entire engine hood.
You see the radiator covers today sometimes on trucks. Some old cars and trucks have movable slats that restrict airflow.
Here is a picture of one for a modern truck.
Neil
Does anyone make these radiator blankets for T's?
If you are poor, you can use cardboard. That's what I do.
If you aren't poor, watch ebay. I have seen a couple of radiator shutter accsesories for model t on there. The kind where you have a cable control in your dash, to open and close them, according to what your motometer reads. I looked at a '29 Chrysler a couple of weeks ago, it had automatic shutters, just like a Packard. Man, was it cool.