Wobbly Dave Posted February 14, 2021 Share Posted February 14, 2021 Anyone have a thermostat for a Light Six? Working or not, I could use something to start with . . . . Thanks anyone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stude Light Posted February 17, 2021 Share Posted February 17, 2021 Are you looking for the brass housing or the Fulton Sylphon Bellows? You can adapt a later model sylphon if desired. Scott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wobbly Dave Posted February 20, 2021 Author Share Posted February 20, 2021 Thanks Stude Light! Just need the Fulton Sylphon Bellows. What later model would work - is it easy to adapt? Can't really work on the car with the cold weather, but Spring is coming... and next year, hopefully a heated garage! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stude Light Posted February 21, 2021 Share Posted February 21, 2021 (edited) I have an original working Fulton Sylphon in my Light Six but they are extremely rare. I’ve never seen another one intact and if anyone has one for their car, it is doubtful they’ll give it up. Knowing mine will fail one day I created a backup by buying a 1940s-1950s design and modifying a spare housing I had to accept it. Here is an example of one on eBay https://www.ebay.com/itm/1952-58-Buick-Dodge-Plymouth-Fulton-Sylphon-Autostat-Thermostat-180-Deg-71FT-NOS/362396231018?hash=item54607fa56a:g:EtwAAOSwaeRbTjZi I put the thermostat in my lathe and cut the top flange diameter down to fit the bore and modified the housing seat area with a file to accept the base. You could also just chuck the housing and cut the bore for the base a bit larger diameter. Then I put a copper ring in to hold it in place. I bought a couple of NOS thermostats and picked the one that fit easiest. Scott Edited February 21, 2021 by Stude Light (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wobbly Dave Posted February 21, 2021 Author Share Posted February 21, 2021 Thanks so much for this info! Seems like something I can tackle. I guess I better pick up those T-stats! By the way- do you know the model number or part number of the original thermostat? Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wobbly Dave Posted February 21, 2021 Author Share Posted February 21, 2021 Does anyone know what the proper temperature rating is for the Light Six thermostat? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stude Light Posted February 21, 2021 Share Posted February 21, 2021 The only part number available would be the Studebaker part number of 43386 which has no relevance anymore. I would say about 160 degrees on the rating Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wobbly Dave Posted February 21, 2021 Author Share Posted February 21, 2021 Thanks. I purchased a 180 degree - another thing that goes back on sale some day. Anyway, is that a parts manual I see? Does not look like my "Service Manual" which I find a little disappointing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stude Light Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 The 180 degree will work but the only issue is it gets the coolant closer to boiling before being fully open and allowing full flow. Personally, I run water with No-Rosion to get the maximum heat transfer benefit, plus it's a lot easier to clean up and won't harm your paint. Yes, that picture is out of my photocopied illustrated parts manual. The illustrations in the original manuals are closer to photo quality but I don't like cracking those open unless I really need to......saves wear and tear. My cover and the first few pages have come off the binder in my 1923-25 manual from using it a lot over the years. Here's an example of how they are laid out (Big Six trans). A couple of us have them and are happy to help out with parts identification, although only some of the parts are illustratrated. No reproductions exist of these to my knowledge. This is what that original Sylphon looks like. Sorry, I never took a photo of it out of the housing. It is just a bellows with some alcohol inside. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wobbly Dave Posted February 22, 2021 Author Share Posted February 22, 2021 Thanks. I am sure I will have too many questions as I dig into this. I understand from the previous owner that it overheated. Suspected timing issue and I hear there may be different possible distributers and rotors that could cause timing problems - hence overheating. I figure I will start by making sure all the coolant passages are clear and then move on from there as soon as it gets warmer out. I do not remember what he said about which distributor it might supposed to be if the wrong one is on there. If anyone is near northeast PA with one of those parts manuals for the 1921 light six, I will offer to assist in scanning it for free . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stude Light Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 Make sure your water pump is flowing. The bronze impeller is held on to the steel shaft with a brass pin....sometimes the pin will corrode and fail or the shaft corrodes and the impeller flexes the pin and it fails. You can usually see down the neck where the radiator cap is and see it flow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wobbly Dave Posted February 22, 2021 Author Share Posted February 22, 2021 I will have to check on that as well. Looks like I am in for a LOT of work this spring! I noticed today that the distributor cap is cracking due to expanding pot metal portion. Can someone tell me which distributor is correct for a 1921 light six? is it 626-A ?? I don't think I would stand a chance without your knowledge. GREATLY APPRECIATED! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stude Light Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 Remy 626A or a Wagner K97. Sounds like your Remy base plate is failing (Remy p/n 11301). Common failure. https://www.classicandexotic.com/store/p-783-delco-distributor-upper-housing-stutz-and-studebaker.aspx I’m pretty sure these folks are out of business but they were selling off inventory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerczak Posted November 24, 2021 Share Posted November 24, 2021 I think Straight-eight.com bought out classicandexotic.com. They are still listed: https://straight-eight.com/product/delco-distributor-upper-housing-stutz-and-studebaker/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wobbly Dave Posted November 24, 2021 Author Share Posted November 24, 2021 Thanks Gerczak: I found ended up getting one a while back from him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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