Anti-Freeze Recommendations; High Reading Thermostat; Correction Of Cooling System Water Loss; Replacing Radiator Thermostat - Cadillac 1937 LaSalle VVI Information

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R A D I A T O R
sary to disassemble the radiator top tank and rod
out the water passages of the core.
Note: Overheating blamed on clogged water
passages is often due to clogged air pass-
ages. N o radiator cleaning job is com-
. plet.e unless dirt, bugs and leaves have
been cleaned out of the grille and from
the air passages within the radiator core.
This operation is best performed by
directing compressed air at the rear face
of core.
6. Anti-Freeze Recommendations
' t
D e n a t u r e d alcohol, methanol, distilled glycer-
ine, and ethylene glycol are the most commonly
used anti-freeze solutions.
C e r t a i n precautions are always necessary when
using anti-freeze solutions. Alcohol and methanol
solutions must be watched closely to guard against
loss by evaporation and against damage to the
car finish by solutions or vapors. Glycerine and
ethylene glycol solutions have a tendency to
loosen rust and scale and to leak out of partially
tightened connections, and on this account
necessitate thorough cooling system conditioning
before they are installed.
A l c o h o l and methanol solutions have, for all
practical purposes, the same specific g r a v i t y and
they may be tested with the same hydrometer
and may be mixed i n the same solution. In
m a k i n g these tests, both the temperature and the
specific gravity must be taken into consideration.
Glycerine and ethylene glycol (Prestone) should
be used in accordance with instructions and in
the proportions recommended b y the anti-freeze
manufacturer. Ordinarily they should not be
mixed with other solutions. N o additional rust
inhibitor should be added when the anti-freeze
contains an inhibitor. M a n y branded alcohol
anti-freezes and most non-volatile anti-freezes
contain rust inhibitors.
Whenever anti-freeze is to be installed, inspect
the entire cooling system carefully. A H hose
connections and gaskets should be tight and i n
good condition. Deteriorated hose or broken
gaskets should be replaced. A careful inspection
of the water pump, radiator and fan belt is also
important. T h e cooling system thermostat and
shutter mechanism should always be tested for
proper operation.
7. H i g h Reading Thermostat
In areas where extreme cold weather is encoun-
tered, it may be necessary to install a special high
reading thermostat in order to secure satisfactory
results from a hot water heater, if one is used i n
the car. The operating temperatures for both
standard and high reading thermostats are shown
in the table.'
Thermostat Operating Table
L a Salle Cadillac Cadillac
V-8 V-8 & V-12 V-16
S t a n d a r d T h e r m o s t a t
Starts to Open 1 4 8 - 1 5 3 ° F . 1 4 8 - 1 5 3 ° F . 1 3 4 - 1 4 2 ° F .
Fully Open By 170° F . 170° F . 154° F .
H i g h R e a d i n g T h e r m o s t a t
Starts to Open 1 6 3 - 1 6 8 ° F . 1 6 3 - 1 6 8 ° F . 1 5 6 - 1 6 4 ° F .
Fully Open B y 185° F . 185° F . 176° F .
Note: Only non-volatile anti-freeze solutions
are satisfactory for use with these special
thermostats.
8. Correction of Cooling System Water Loss
In cases of continuous water loss from the cool-
ing system of 37-series cars, the following possible
sources of trouble should be carefully checked as a
means of locating and correcting the difficulty:
2. Improper Seating of Radiator Filler Cap —
If the radiator filler cap is not properly installed
so that it is completely turned all the way to the
right, water loss m a y occur on quick or high speed
stops because of the surging of the water i n the
system and improper sealing of the pressure cap.
Be sure the filler cap is properly installed.
2. A i r Leaks in the Cooling System—I f air leaks
develop at the hose connections or the water p u m p , .
water loss will occur because the air pressure in
the system will force the water out the overflow
pipe. T h e re'medy is to make sure that the hose
connections and the water p u m p packings and
shaft are air-tight under all operating conditions.
A i r leaks at these points are more liable to develop
at high engine speeds.
3. Cylinder Head Gaskets Leak Under Power
— W a t e r loss m a y occur on account of small leaks
developing under power at the cylinder head
gaskets. T h e remedy for this condition is proper
sealing of the gaskets and tightening of the c y l i n -
der heads. B r o k e n or otherwise damaged gaskets
should, of course, be replaced.
4. Overheating of the Engine—This condition
will cause the water in the cooling system to boil
away and may be due to any one or all of the
following causes: Inoperative or weak radiator
thermostat. Improper cylinder head gaskets
which would prevent proper cooling system circu-
lation a n d produce hot spots i n the engine.
Retarded spark. Improper valve timing. D i r t y
air cleaner which would give improper fuel mix-
ture. Clogged radiator core due to bugs, insects,
etc., that have been caught in the radiator.
Clogged radiator core passages clue to rust and
scale formations or other foreign matter i n the
cooling system.
The correction of the above difficulties is o b v i -
ously a matter of corrective service or replacement
of inoperative or defective parts.
9. Replacing Radiator T h e r m o s t a t
The radiator thermostat used on all 37-series
cars can be removed through the front of the car
after t a k i n g off the radiator grille. It is not
necessary to remove the radiator shell, except on
series 37-90.
When reinstalling the thermostat, connect the
shutter control rod as shown i n Plate 68 F i g . 3.
10. Removal a n d Installation of Radiator
Core
The following procedure covers the removal of
the radiator on series 37-50, 60, 65, 70, 75 and 85
cars:
1. D r a i n coolant from system.
Note: Remove radiator cap to facilitate fast
draining.