Guest Dunc126 Posted March 10, 2013 Share Posted March 10, 2013 Any one have any idea where I could get a reasonably priced Pines Winterfront Thermostat? The bellows on the one from my 1930 Commander is shot. I've found one website that sells rebuilt units, but there almost $400 for the bellows alone. Thanks again! Duncan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwight Romberger Posted March 10, 2013 Share Posted March 10, 2013 I think you will find $400 for a warranteed rebuilt unit is a deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F&J Posted March 10, 2013 Share Posted March 10, 2013 make one? What size is it, and how much movement of the bellows? and what temp to open? Is it a sealed unit that fits into the radiator tank? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Dunc126 Posted March 12, 2013 Share Posted March 12, 2013 I was thinking of making one. It's a sealed unit which fits into the radiator tank. I think it opens at around 140 F or so, I'm not 100% sure though. It's a thermostatic bellows, made of brass, about 2 inches in diameter, and 2.25 inches tall when fully compressed. Steam traps, used in steam heating systems, use almost the exact same bellows system, although from what I’ve seen, the bellows are much smaller. I’ve found a few manufactures who make these bellows using hydraulic dies, but I don’t think they would be willing to do a one-off project. </SPAN> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwight Romberger Posted March 13, 2013 Share Posted March 13, 2013 (edited) OK Duncan. Now this is getting interesting. You were holding out on us! It looks to me like this company might already make one in the size you need. Sigma-Netics - Metal Bellows, Aerospace Bellows, Aneroid Bellows, Bellows Valve, Flexible Bellows, Formed Bellows, Hydroformed Bellows, Metal Bellows, Metallic Bellows, Stainless Steel Bellows, Steel Bellows, Air Pressure Switches, Aneroid Bellows, BIn addition to sensing pressure, we also manufacture hydroformed metal bellows, and utilize the bellows to create liquid filled bellows assemblies and thermostats to sense temperature. We provide bellows and assemblies to a wide variety of markets, including; HVAC, Medical, Chemical, and Electrical Distribution Equipment. Edited March 13, 2013 by Dwight Romberger (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Dunc126 Posted March 13, 2013 Share Posted March 13, 2013 I'm going to shoot Sigma-Netics an email today with the dimensions of the bellows I’m after and see what they come back with. I was also looking at this company: Cliflex: Hydroform Metal Bellows, and it looks like they manufacture pretty much the same line of products. I’ll let you know what I learn. I’m sure if they have a compatible size, it will be loads cheaper than the $400 ones, even if I have to do some modifications to the ends to make it work in the original Pines’ unit. </SPAN>This is the first antique car I’ve worked on, and I’ve found that I really have to think outside the box sometimes to find a solution to some of the problems I’ve run into. I’m glad that this board exists so I can bounce ideas off of folks who know a heck of a lot more than I do about these things.</SPAN>I keep you posted on what I find out. </SPAN> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwight Romberger Posted March 13, 2013 Share Posted March 13, 2013 Duncan,You are the one with the new idea. Let us know what happens. A source for new bellows would be quite a find! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F&J Posted March 14, 2013 Share Posted March 14, 2013 I was thinking of making one. It's a sealed unit which fits into the radiator tank. I think it opens at around 140 F or so, I'm not 100% sure though. It's a thermostatic bellows, made of brass, about 2 inches in diameter, and 2.25 inches tall when fully compressed. Steam traps, used in steam heating systems, use almost the exact same bellows system, although from what I’ve seen, the bellows are much smaller. I’ve found a few manufactures who make these bellows using hydraulic dies, but I don’t think they would be willing to do a one-off project. </SPAN>I don't think I have an accurate thermometer, but I do have a brass bellows thermostat from an aircooled VW bug. I suspect they must open at a higher temp, but that is a guess. The size sounds really close. I also don't know what the working length is; meaning total movement at whatever temp range. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nvonada Posted March 14, 2013 Share Posted March 14, 2013 Why (and where) would an aircooled VW have a thermostat? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F&J Posted March 14, 2013 Share Posted March 14, 2013 Vw's had it under the center of the two cylinders on the passenger side, in the airflow leaving the cyls and head. It is hooked with linkage, to flaps that seal off the cooling air from the fan, which is attached to the generator, inside the rounded fan shroud.here are some numbers copied from one; 65*/170*I assume celsius. I don't know if that is the working range, from start to end?1-7/8" dia bellowsbellows body is 1-1/4", but has a removable cylindrical linkage adapter that makes total length to 2-1/8". That extension is maybe 1/4 to 5/16 dia, and has internal threads on both ends. It changes a larger thread dia on the bellows, to a smaller dia thread for the linkage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Dunc126 Posted March 14, 2013 Share Posted March 14, 2013 Here's some interesting info on the VW bellows: TheSamba.com :: View topic - RE-made thermostat idea. It would be interesting to see if they could be adapted for use in a Pines or similar unit. I haven’t heard back from Sigma-Netics yet, but I’ll let you know when I do.</SPAN> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studeq Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 This will not assist you in finding the replacement thermostat that you are looking for but for those who might happen on this thread in the future I am attaching some information from my files on the topic. The two pages are from the December 1929 Studebaker Service Bulletin #44-A. The photo is an original glossy from 1929. It should be noted that the shutters were used for a relatively short period in late 1929 and early ’30. Started on the FE President at serial 6019165 and the FH at 7027014. On the FD Commander Eight at serial 8018577. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Gregory Posted November 28, 2013 Share Posted November 28, 2013 (edited) I was told Corvair also used a Bellows thermostat . I checked and they do and are available at Clark's Corvair Parts . Mark Edited December 2, 2013 by Mark Gregory (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted April 27, 2015 Share Posted April 27, 2015 Here are some of the bellows parts.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Gregory Posted April 27, 2015 Share Posted April 27, 2015 Thank you for posting my pictures . My question is my Pines Winter Front has all these parts inside . When I got the car they were all mixed up in a box . Do they go inside the brass container basket third picture in order like in the second picture . Or am I missing two discs with holes in them that go at either end ? So there is no damage to the discs from the container basket and the piston in the fourth picture . Would someone have a picture or repair manual showing how they are placed . I checked out Classic and Exotic cars but they seem different or I missed them when looking . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Gregory Posted April 27, 2015 Share Posted April 27, 2015 This Pines winter Front goes on a 1931 Reo Royale car . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrysler75 Posted June 19, 2017 Share Posted June 19, 2017 How did this story end/ still do not have a working thermostat. Can one order the airchambers abd eventually all necessary parts at Clark's Corvair Parts shop? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
31nash880 Posted February 14, 2023 Share Posted February 14, 2023 Wow, I love this site. Did this issue ever get resolved? Due to me not asking questions before hand, I have ruined the bellows in my auto winter front. Sometimes we still need to ask. How do these things work? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted February 14, 2023 Share Posted February 14, 2023 I pointed out in the other thread you posted in that you can hopefully still but these through classic and exotic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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