Engine temp when 100 degrees out?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,631
Likes: 11
From: Rocklin California
Engine temp when 100 degrees out?
My 350/350 motor gets up to 210 or 215 when it's 100+ degrees out. No higher even at idle in traffic. I am adding Vintage A/C but not adding an additional electric fan. I have a new 6 blade 18" Hayden fan and new fan clutch. Also new 170* stat. Dewitt's aluminum radiator correct for the car. 50-50 mix coolant. Do you think I need another fan or see what happens when the A/C is installed?
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 532
Likes: 0
From: sarasota florida
My 350/350 motor gets up to 210 or 215 when it's 100+ degrees out. No higher even at idle in traffic. I am adding Vintage A/C but not adding an additional electric fan. I have a new 6 blade 18" Hayden fan and new fan clutch. Also new 170* stat. Dewitt's aluminum radiator correct for the car. 50-50 mix coolant. Do you think I need another fan or see what happens when the A/C is installed?
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 11,593
Likes: 173
From: Clayton NC
Well if you have a DeWitt's Radiator and will be adding a fan then the next step is to make sure that you have a problem. The temperature that you are reporting is this accurate? Have you shot the t-stat housing with an IR gun? Are you puking coolant? If no and no how do you know that there is a problem?
The temp senders on these cars are notorious for being inaccurate. If you have done all of the above what kind of water pump are you using? If it's a FLAPS waterpump it's efficiency may not be that of an original. I have had good luck on numerous cars using the Stewart Stage II pump in conjunction with the DeWitts to have good cooling without the help of electric fans. I can run my car all day long any speed any temperature with just a DeWitts and a Stewart pump. If I get stuck in traffic it may climb as high as 210 but a quick spin of the motor to 2k for a few minutes or clear road for 2 miles and the temp is back down to 180..
I would also check your timing. All of these add up to problems that you may be experiencing.
Dave
The temp senders on these cars are notorious for being inaccurate. If you have done all of the above what kind of water pump are you using? If it's a FLAPS waterpump it's efficiency may not be that of an original. I have had good luck on numerous cars using the Stewart Stage II pump in conjunction with the DeWitts to have good cooling without the help of electric fans. I can run my car all day long any speed any temperature with just a DeWitts and a Stewart pump. If I get stuck in traffic it may climb as high as 210 but a quick spin of the motor to 2k for a few minutes or clear road for 2 miles and the temp is back down to 180..
I would also check your timing. All of these add up to problems that you may be experiencing.
Dave
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 844
Likes: 2
From: Westminster Maryland
St. Jude Donor '08
I was having over heating problems drive 5 miles temp got to over 220*, 
did the same as you, Dewitt's aluminum radiator, new clutch fan still got hot. Last thing I did I changed timing from 10* BTDC to 12*. 180* stat has not gone above 190* in traffic. 
Just a thought.
did the same as you, Dewitt's aluminum radiator, new clutch fan still got hot. Last thing I did I changed timing from 10* BTDC to 12*. 180* stat has not gone above 190* in traffic. Just a thought.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,078
Likes: 101
From: Riverhead New York
Have you considered removing the splash shields? Also you can add the Upper Radiator Seal that was used on A/C cars. (LICS, 26/27.) A Temp. in the 210 range should not harm your engine as todays modern engines run at this Temp. all day long. I'd also consider using a 190D Therm. for a more efficient yearly cooling schedule. Al W.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 635
Likes: 1
From: cincinnati oh
i like pusher fan
you can put a pusher fan in front of radiator if you want to keep stock look. true blocks some air when off, but really helps when on. mid 90's here and mine never gets over 170 with fan on. i toggle it but you can put in on thermo. the nice thing. you dont see the fan with hood open so you can show it no problem.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,631
Likes: 11
From: Rocklin California
Temp gauge is accurate as I have an IR gun. Runs at 180 degrees when the outside temp is below 90 degrees. May need to adjust the fan clutch and make sure no air pockets when I drained the radiator down to replace the stat. I was also thinking the timing may be a little off so will check that also. Thanks for the suggestions guys
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Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,142
Likes: 704
Well, it's summer again and it seems that a lot of people are thinking their car is running too hot, so I will once again state my case with some evidence from the General himself.
First witness: The 1966 Owners Guide-
Second witness: The gauge-
Warning at 230, Red Line at 250.
I rest my case.
First witness: The 1966 Owners Guide-
Second witness: The gauge-
Warning at 230, Red Line at 250.
I rest my case.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
My 350/350 motor gets up to 210 or 215 when it's 100+ degrees out. No higher even at idle in traffic. I am adding Vintage A/C but not adding an additional electric fan. I have a new 6 blade 18" Hayden fan and new fan clutch. Also new 170* stat. Dewitt's aluminum radiator correct for the car. 50-50 mix coolant. Do you think I need another fan or see what happens when the A/C is installed?
It also adds hotter air passing thru the radiator, making it remove less heat.
You may or may not see a rise in coolant temp, depending on the efficiency of your system as a whole, but increasing the airflow always helps.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,461
Likes: 18
From: cooper city florida
I notice you are in Calf. I live in Ft. Lauderdale and I was having the same problem. I was running about 215. My solution was a flush with 50/50 white vinegar and water,70/30 mix of water and antifreeze,a new clutch fan,and a 160 degree HiFlo Robert Shaw thermostat. The stat that I removed was a 195 degree. My car now runs between 170 and 185 according to IR gun. Where we live,I don't think we need 50/50 coolant mix and 195 degree thermostats. When I was young,I always took the thermostats out of all my cars and never had a problem. Of course it almost never gets below 50 degrees here.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 1
From: Maine
Well, it's summer again and it seems that a lot of people are thinking their car is running too hot, so I will once again state my case with some evidence from the General himself.
First witness: The 1966 Owners Guide-
Second witness: The gauge-
Warning at 230, Red Line at 250.
I rest my case.
First witness: The 1966 Owners Guide-
Second witness: The gauge-
Warning at 230, Red Line at 250.
I rest my case.
