Thermostai Housing

Thanks everyone for the great information. I'm impressed with it. I will be using cast iron for now. As easy as aluminum is to weld I wonder why nobody has repaired the housings before. Getting the aluminum clean may be the reason or possible poor cast aluminum quality might be a reason. I know not all aluminum is easy to weld. I'm very good heli arcing T6061 aircraft aluminum but cast aluminum is tuff. Have no idea what the housing material is but may find out later.

Hi,

When my dad bought the distressed 1509A back in 1950, he subsequently ordered a bunch of parts, including NOS aluminum water outlet fittings. I am so glad he did--I would not look forward to hogging replacements out of billets of either aluminum or steel. I suppose in a pinch for a non-judged Cord, the fittings could be fabbed up and welded out of steel tubing. That's likely what I would do if necessary.

Given a lathe and a milling machine, many parts can be fabricated, but of course they would not pass judging.

--Tom

Hi:

The cast iron housings for the standard engine are the rare ones. It seems like Cord guys always have a couple of sets of unusable aluminum housings including a few cowl filler versions that have been blocked off. The cast iron housings seem to look better every minute.

Mark

Thanks Mark. When you say the standard engine thermostat housing is extermely rare. Are you telling me the cast iron is the rare type or both cast iron and aluminum housings are extermely rare for the standard engines.

Hi:

As you know, all supercharged thermostat housings are cast iron and are incredibly durable. The really rare standard housings are also incredibly durable and if you have them, I would certainly consider using them over the aluminum versions. Judging-wise, I think using either does not pose a problem since they both are authentic Cord.

Mark

I have both types of thermostat housings. My car is a late 37. Which housing should it use. The cast iron or the aluminum housing. Or does it matter.