SAFE OIL TEMPETURE ?

I'm curious.....what is considered to be the maximum oil tempeture that is safe for a 1600,1776 or 1915 engine without a lot of modifications ? At what temp does it really become a overheating issue? Everyone knowledge is appreciated! Thanks, Michael

The warmer the engine runs over 200 the sooner it will need work. As the heads get closer to needing new valve guides the operating temperature for the engine will increase. 220 is getting in the "well this engine is suffering", higher won't last very long or means the heads need to be removed and rebuilt.

This assumes, you have done all the cooling suggestions from the knowledge section

My opinion 240 degrees, you are at the high end of operating temp and not the best by far for the engine. Pinging valves under load also indicate a high engine oil and of head temps.

Old rule of thumb........

If you can't hold onto the oil dip stick, the engine is too hot.

Porsche has been running factory racing engines at 240 F or higher for years with no problems. They've also been running pure synthetic, 20W50 oil (Mobile1?) in all of their race and production cars for years as well, as it provides slightly lower operating temperatures than does non-synthetic oils under the same conditions.

I'm with Alan......240 F is getting really hot on a street engine below 2000cc's I would expect a well-prepared engine to remain below 225 F on a hot day at turnpike speeds PROVIDED THAT IT IS ADEQUATELY COOLED!!!!!!

THAT means that it is running the correct VW oil cooling tower within the fan shroud, ALL engine cooling tins are properly in place and operational (all internal moving vanes are connected to the bellows thermostat and working correctly) AND all engine compartment shields are in place and sealing properly. If there are ANY air gaps in the engine compartment, or the cooling tins are after-market (NON-German) products, then all bets are off.

Many, properly set up Speedsters, from 1600's up to 2160's and larger, are running 200 F on hot days at turnpike speeds, while a lot of others, less-well prepared, are running somewhat higher........