xkeots

Hi,

I haven't had my 63 SWC 350/300 long.
In the past six months I had to straighten the valve covers and replace the gaskets, tune it, replace the brake master, replace the fuel pump, change oil & filter, grease it, drain the anti-freeze (it was red and I flushed it and now have green) and rebuild the carb.
Due to time and money I finally started driving it a week ago.
It has been in the high 80's low 90's and I noticed that the temp gauge is sitting on the first line after the 180 mark.
Is my temp gauge on the correct mark?

Thanks
Jack
1963 SWC 350/300

Nowhere Man

If you think it's reading on the high side get a IR gun and see what it says. Have you checked your timming

xkeots

I am debating if the previous owner put a 220 thermostat in.
I might drop some green and put in a 180 thermostat then re fill the green.

Jack

CaveCreekChump

If the IR gun confirms that the temp gauge is reading higher than the actual coolant temperature, this may fix the problem:

Go to AutoZone and get a Duralast TU5 temperature switch. It is a sending unit that should work more accurately with your stock gauge.

JohnZ

I've never heard of a 220* thermostat. Compare an I.R. gun reading at the top radiator hose just above the thermostat housing vs. the temp gauge reading at the same time so you know what the gauge is really telling you. No point fixing a problem if you don't have one.

xkeots

I put a 180 thermostat in.
With an IR gun reader I am running 215 on the upper hose and 170 on the lower hose.
All fluids are topped up. Gauge on dash is high.

Thanks
Jack