The heater was an accessory and came with a thermostat with a range of 145-155 . I would not use anything over 160. I do not believe the cars came from the factory with a thermostat but not sure. Whether you are installing a heater or not I would use a 160 thermostat as I think it would make for a better running engine.
Original engine has been rebuilt and bored and I am using original rad so I am a bit concerned with overheating. I installed the heater for extra cooling. I understand that the cooling system is not pressurized correct? Thermostats require pressure to open?
Thermostats only depend on temperature to operate and not pressure. I think a clean properly operating cooling system and proper timing are what most affects engine temperature.
Provisions were made even in 28 engines for a thermostat so I'm pretty sure a 32 would have one. In the 28 it was held in a brass plate with a couple of stove bolts in the upper housing bolted on the head. Maybe it was optional, not sure. If using the original radiator I would make sure you have a shop look at it and cook it out good. In researching what to do with my radiator I have read many a post where someone took a garden hose and flushed it out and thought it was good because all the flow from the hose would flow through the radiator only to find out not all the tubes in the core were open and they had overheating problems. It only takes several of those tubes to be open to handle the flow of a garden hose, the rest could be restricted. Just my thoughts.
Checking the Restoration Pack it's listed as an extra cost accessory. Scroll down to the accessories section toward the bottom. It doesn't list a temp value. My 38 is 160.
most 1929-32 owners that have put in a thermostat put in the STANT 160F thermostat (Stant-45356) and drill a 1/8" hole in it. this hole is an orifice and keeps some fluid running circulating. i have a housing for my 1929 that has the recess for the thermostat. it goes in between the head and the water outlet.
see attached pictures
AACA - VCCA - Stovebolt - ChevyTalk Love the Antique Chevrolet's from 1928-1932 The Beauty, Simplicity, History, and the Stories they Tell
The purpose of a thermostat is to set the minimum operation temperature of the engine. A thermostat does not cause overheating unless it sticks shut or in the very unlikely case that it does not allow enough coolant the flow from the engine to the radiator.
I agree that these older engines run better with a thermostat.
