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engine temp... what's NORMAL?

FM Former Member
I know I've asked before... people advised going through the past emails and files... very helpful, thanks.

I still need to know what's NORMAL. Now that I'm done with racing around, I've been driving with my new rebuilt 1776 (after I burned out the last two), taching 3,000 on the freeway. Temps on the gauge reach 265, sometimes a little more (ambient temp 95). I've noticed at days and night where the temp is 65, but no more than 75, my gauge reads more like 230-240... which I think is close to optimum engine temp. The engine does drop after a couple minutes, in engine temp, when I start slowing down and tach less than 3,000. Only problem I'm only driving 55mph.

Does this seem right? Should I have any concerns about this rebuilt engine having been built properly? Should I try to seal the engine better? Do I need to add an extra oil cooler?

Please help, advise... any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

David
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FM Former Member
I know I've asked before... people advised going through the past emails and files... very helpful, thanks.

I still need to know what's NORMAL. Now that I'm done with racing around, I've been driving with my new rebuilt 1776 (after I burned out the last two), taching 3,000 on the freeway. Temps on the gauge reach 265, sometimes a little more (ambient temp 95). I've noticed at days and night where the temp is 65, but no more than 75, my gauge reads more like 230-240... which I think is close to optimum engine temp. The engine does drop after a couple minutes, in engine temp, when I start slowing down and tach less than 3,000. Only problem I'm only driving 55mph.

Does this seem right? Should I have any concerns about this rebuilt engine having been built properly? Should I try to seal the engine better? Do I need to add an extra oil cooler?

Please help, advise... any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

David
FM Former Member
David,

First, your engine is NOT running normal temps.

What gears are you running? Is your 4th modified? Also do you have a 3:88 R-P? These may help.

I use an external cooler/thermostat/fan on a high side built 1776 with a 3:88 and Freway Flyer set up. All the tin is on and so the engine compartment is sealed. I use a 1.5 Qt sump also with a good quality pump. I can run 65-75 (faster in Fall and Spring) for a couple of hours before I stop for gas and such. The OAT here is 100 plus.

Go to the Knowledge section. There is a very good article on reducing heat increasing cooling.

Also, state of tune and the carb settings have boo-coo to do with running temps. So does the Exhaust!
Jim
(Message Edited 8/17/2003 4:42:20 PM)
Ron ORon O1984/2010 IM, B.C. Canada
I agree with Jim. Those temperatures are way too high. I would think that 180-190 degrees, while cruising along on the freeway at 70 mph, would be ideal. Now the hard part...trying to figure out why the temperatures are so high. There could be a lot of reasons. Also, is your gauge reading true? May want to try the meat thermometer in the dipstick for an accurate reading.
Ron
FM Former Member
I wouldn't be too worried about 220 or 230 F cruising at high speeds if cylinder head temps are OK. That oil temp is a little high but not catastrophic with modern oils (especially synthetics) that are changed on a regular basis. But, something is probably wrong, or if not wrong, not totally right, so "Round up the ususal suspects..." (see the Knowledge article).
FM Former Member
First make sure your gauge is correct, I had a brand new VDO gauge hooked up to the sump that read twenty deg. off when new. I bought a new sender only to find that didn't read right either, 13 deg. off and finnally I found a sender that was only eight deg. off before I gave up. Go figure!

Second you can reduce oil temps. dramatically by using a 356 pully to speed up the fan. I believe the fan belt is #7325, I can double check that if your interested. I'm running one of these for summer and the oil is running about fifteen -twenty deg. cooler.

Laslty of course it would be great to get an extra oil cooler, if you place where lots of cool air can get to it (like the front of the car) I'm sure you'll have the engine running nice and cool.

This is of course in addition to making sure the car is running right IE...mixture, timing, CR ratio, engine bay sealing and so on.

J-P
FM Former Member
Ok from an earlier post....

I stated that on the drive from home to the inspection station it was pouring rain aroun 70 degrees and the engine ran 230F max. crusing at around 3000 rpm the whole way.

Last weekend....

Using 6" duct I channeled air from a scoop in front of the rear wheel to a 6" opening opposite the fan inlet.

I drove out to the inspection station at lunch to have my VIN plate installed. 85 and sunny, 3000 rpm the whole way, engine temp: 220F

Me thinks I need to check the accuracy of my gauge.
Me thinks I need an oil cooler.

Where do you install the sensor to monitor head temps. How hot should the heads run?

Jerome
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