1939 Cadillac Radiator Ventilator Assembly

[csearider]

The attached picture is a ventilator vane assembly off of a 1939 Cadillac Limousine. Can anyone tell me what specifically the name for this is. Also, I believe it is same for LaSalle. What year LaSalle and Cadillac will this fit?

[gary griffin]

Thermostatically controlled shutters used in Cadillac until 1941, when they went to the water flow controlled thermostat in the 1942 model.

LaSalle used them to the end in 1940.  I had a 1950 Mercedes that was still using them.

Hopefully someone will know if they came in different sizes.  For simplicity of assembly my guess is that they used the same size for all models and for long periods of time.

[Barry M Wheeler #2189]

Check in your Master Parts list for usage. There were many of these as there were many different shapes of grills.

And I did have lots of trouble finding out what GMese was used here to name the parts. The one view of the 1941 assembly was about as clear as mud in naming the parts. Sorry I couldn't get more specific. it is cool to see the shutters working. Mine did when it was running.

[Classic]

Big diesel trucks used "radiator shutters" up until the 1990's, but not sure if they are used anymore.  Kysor was a popular brand.  Shutterstats were used to open and close the shutters, usually air powered using air from the truck air brake system.  Most trucks today use thermostatically controlled fans.

[Brad Ipsen CLC #737]

The shutters are group number 6.1356 Radiator Shutters, less Thermostat and control parts (official name).  There are 15 different part numbers from 36 to 41 to cover all the different models.

[Fred Pennington 25635]

Grill shudders are making a come back.
Some manufactures are using them to close up the grill at highway speeds for fuel economy.

Fred P.