Event Coverage The LaSalle Adventure

"With the heater going, and outside temps in the 40s, the engine is running 165 degrees on the road. cools off when we slow down."
Jim does the car have a thermostat in it? If it does it must be stuck open. If it is missing or stuck open that could be contributing to the bad gas mileage.

 

I've driven some stone cold hoopties as a DD in my early years, but this tops anything I ever drove that was marginal.

 

The Caddys of this era had no modern type thermostat, instead they had a thermostatic shutter in front of the radiator. This LaSalle had it's shutter torched out years ago, and the thermostat hole in the radiator top tank was blocked off and soldered shut. It will have to get really chilly out for us to need to put any cardboard in front of the radiator!

 

Most of those cars had the shutters removed years ago, I have a '37 Cadillac and it's missing the shutters also.

 

Jims gotta have the most understanding Ol Lady EVER !

 

Jim has the life! Thanks for another epic journey we can all use to escape reality for a little bit. Safe travels and have fun...

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Couldn't you use an inline thermostat that fit into the upper radiator hose, like this one from Jegs?

 

If getting too cold was a problem. It's not.

Hope to make it across Missouri today.

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Jim, if you ever decide you want to put some shutters in the old girl, these are available, from a 1940 Cadillac Series 62.

 

Neat. Not planning to be fixing this car up right, so we don't really need many parts like that. A manifold gasket set could be handy, though.

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We're getting close to Illinois. We seem to be going through water faster now, like a gallon every 60 miles or so. Can't find any leaks. It's dark and rainy, too, so it's hard to tell what's going on. Might pull plugs in the morning and see if any look extra clean.

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Jim, your last comment brings up a point of curiosity for me. What will you do with the Caddie after the run? It seems like a pity to have done all that work just for one run.
Bob

 

I hope it isn't the head gasket, you can't just pick one up at a corner auto store.
Any bubbles in the water when it is running?
Bob

 

It's hard to tell right now. We have to get to Chicago in time, as long as it keeps running, we keep driving.

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I don't know what David plans to do with the car if it makes it home. He might want to sell it, he has two other running old cars already. That are more practical.

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well,they always run best right before they blow....so you don't have to worry that its ready to blow!!good luck,not that you need it...

 

that is the type of car you have till you die..............

 

Where in Chicago are you staying...I am local if you need some help. Bet it's a head gasket. You might want to try some Bars Leak if it is.

 

It should be easy to sell if the car "gives up the ghost" and David decides to do that. Very unusual car.

 

How will you get home when you find out that the water is disappearing thru cracks between bores and valve seats and it becomes undrivable?

 

water injection = HP
strap a water tank on the roof

 

visited a shop and they were showing me the new hgh tech shutter system on new cars
I didnt have the heart to tell them this isnt a new concept

 

Kerosene powered farm tractors used shutters back in the 1920’s to keep engine temp up high enough.


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I just noticed this post
Awesome

Good luck guys




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The Cad/LaSalle flatties aren't as prone to cracking as the Ford's are.

 

I dumped a gallon of antifreeze in at the last stop, hoping that it would be easier to find a leak. Plain water just disappears. Seems the right side inner fender is covered with antifreeze now. Probably the water pump. But no evidence that it is the shaft seal. Will keep looking. The housing is eaten away on the gasket surface. And it has leaked around the bolts.

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Might I suggest..... Moroso Block Seal. That stuff does wonders, but you might be aware of that already!
Carry on, and safe travels!

 

^^^^^

Black Pepper

 

Try some DIKE in the coolant. Seen that stuff seal when others wouldn’t.

 

Hopefully when you get to your destination, you can find parts there and repair it before heading back.

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