Coolent Temp.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 814
Likes: 7
From: toronto ontario
Coolent Temp.
My 65 normally runs at about 160 F on a hot day, in heavy traffic stop and go it will raise to about 210- 215 once the traffic breaks it will quickly return to the 160 area.
Some of my friends say that it is running to cool, not good for the motor. Others say that this temp range is perfect and not to be concerned. I am in a colder climate area and as a result use the car between May and Oct only.
What do you guys think??
Some of my friends say that it is running to cool, not good for the motor. Others say that this temp range is perfect and not to be concerned. I am in a colder climate area and as a result use the car between May and Oct only.
What do you guys think??
Last edited by macs65; Aug 25, 2009 at 07:44 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,691
Likes: 12
From: columbus oh
My 65 normally runs at about 160 F on a hot day, in heavy traffic stop and go it will raise to about 210- 215 once the traffic breaks it will quickly return to the 160 area.
Some of my friends say that it is running to cool, not good for the motor. Others say that this temp range is perfect and not to be concerned. I am in a colder climate area and as a result use the car between May and Oct only.
What do you guys think??
Some of my friends say that it is running to cool, not good for the motor. Others say that this temp range is perfect and not to be concerned. I am in a colder climate area and as a result use the car between May and Oct only.
What do you guys think??
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 7,989
Likes: 3,966
From: Cold Harbor, VA
I don't believe it.
Don't know what engine you have but if a 327, then you have a real unique engine if that temp is true (confirmed with IR gun). Mine ran in the 160 range (by the gauge) and the guy I bought it from said "It always runs real cool". Except when you opened the hood after running it sure did not feel cool, and IR gun confirmed it was really running about 195. Changed out the sender, and the temp gauge got a lot more real. Too real in fact. Had to get another sender that turned out to be more accurate, played with hoses and Harrison tank cap, and got it to run in 185 range. Gauge still shows 190-200 however.
of course maybe up in Toronto you routinely have 40 degree air blowing through your radiator and that accounts for super cooling...
of course maybe up in Toronto you routinely have 40 degree air blowing through your radiator and that accounts for super cooling...
Last edited by 65hihp; Aug 24, 2009 at 05:45 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,515
Likes: 98
From: North Carolina "life is good"
2025 c3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Do you know what t-stat you have currently in the car? It could be a 160/165 unit. I would change it to a 180 degree unit. Also check the fan clutch and make sure it's working properly. Maybe even have the rad flushed out.
Your temps are not that bad. I would check various points under the hood with a IR gun as suggested, just to verify what the temps actually are.
Good luck but it doesn't sound like your in that bad of shape.
Your temps are not that bad. I would check various points under the hood with a IR gun as suggested, just to verify what the temps actually are.
Good luck but it doesn't sound like your in that bad of shape.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
Likes: 1,874
From: Greenville, Indiana
I think there's a fair number of members on this board that would tell you their engines run that cool also. Even without getting that hot.
One of them would be me.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 814
Likes: 7
From: toronto ontario
Don't know what engine you have but if a 327, then you have a real unique engine if that temp is true (confirmed with IR gun). Mine ran in the 160 range (by the gauge) and the guy I bought it from said "It always runs real cool". Except when you opened the hood after running it sure did not feel cool, and IR gun confirmed it was really running about 195. Changed out the sender, and the temp gauge got a lot more real. Too real in fact. Had to get another sender that turned out to be more accurate, played with hoses and Harrison tank cap, and got it to run in 185 range. Gauge still shows 190-200 however.
of course maybe up in Toronto you routinely have 40 degree air blowing through your radiator and that accounts for super cooling...
of course maybe up in Toronto you routinely have 40 degree air blowing through your radiator and that accounts for super cooling...
I went to Woodward on Aug 15th and crossed from Ontario to Mich on the Bluewater bridge, sat in traffic for almost 1 hour getting over the bridge and at customs temps reached 210 to 215 which I thought was pretty normal, drops back as soon as you get moving.
Last edited by macs65; Aug 25, 2009 at 07:51 AM. Reason: additional info
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 838
Likes: 132
From: Clayton NortCacklackie
Do you know what t-stat you have currently in the car? It could be a 160/165 unit. I would change it to a 180 degree unit. Also check the fan clutch and make sure it's working properly. Maybe even have the rad flushed out.
Your temps are not that bad. I would check various points under the hood with a IR gun as suggested, just to verify what the temps actually are.
Good luck but it doesn't sound like your in that bad of shape.
Your temps are not that bad. I would check various points under the hood with a IR gun as suggested, just to verify what the temps actually are.
Good luck but it doesn't sound like your in that bad of shape.
It appears that when going down the road he is getting plenty of air through the radiator. However in traffic not enough air is being pulled through the radiator. I would highly suspect the fan clutch..
Good luck.. BTW I'll be back up in Hamilton in a week or two.. Where was that cruise in we talked about the last time I was up?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,691
Likes: 12
From: columbus oh
[QUOTE=PinkVetteLady;1571256465]The tstat will not control the operating temp of the motor only the temp at which the temp allows the tstat to open. Changing the tstat will have no impact on this issue.
a 180 deg stat will open between 178-185.......this assures the engine will not go below that temperature........therefore the stat DOES control the minimum operating temperature.......,the maximum temp is controlled by the rest of the cooling system ....the t stat is always modulating, especially at cruise.....just thought i'd throw that out.....
a 180 deg stat will open between 178-185.......this assures the engine will not go below that temperature........therefore the stat DOES control the minimum operating temperature.......,the maximum temp is controlled by the rest of the cooling system ....the t stat is always modulating, especially at cruise.....just thought i'd throw that out.....
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 838
Likes: 132
From: Clayton NortCacklackie
[QUOTE=midyearvette;1571257402]
I think we are in agreement here.. However it only tries to maintain the min temp. to get the motor up to operating temp. btw in the winter I have to put a piece of cardboard infront of the radiator to get the car to warm up enough to get to 180 to open the tstat... So the temp can be below the tstat temp.
The tstat will not control the operating temp of the motor only the temp at which the temp allows the tstat to open. Changing the tstat will have no impact on this issue.
a 180 deg stat will open between 178-185.......this assures the engine will not go below that temperature........therefore the stat DOES control the minimum operating temperature.......,the maximum temp is controlled by the rest of the cooling system ....the t stat is always modulating, especially at cruise.....just thought i'd throw that out.....
a 180 deg stat will open between 178-185.......this assures the engine will not go below that temperature........therefore the stat DOES control the minimum operating temperature.......,the maximum temp is controlled by the rest of the cooling system ....the t stat is always modulating, especially at cruise.....just thought i'd throw that out.....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,691
Likes: 12
From: columbus oh
[QUOTE=PinkVetteLady;1571259698]
I think we are in agreement here.. However it only tries to maintain the min temp. to get the motor up to operating temp. btw in the winter I have to put a piece of cardboard infront of the radiator to get the car to warm up enough to get to 180 to open the tstat... So the temp can be below the tstat temp.
yep...
sounds like you have your system dialed in......
I think we are in agreement here.. However it only tries to maintain the min temp. to get the motor up to operating temp. btw in the winter I have to put a piece of cardboard infront of the radiator to get the car to warm up enough to get to 180 to open the tstat... So the temp can be below the tstat temp.
sounds like you have your system dialed in......
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,515
Likes: 98
From: North Carolina "life is good"
2025 c3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
[QUOTE=midyearvette;1571257402]
That's what I was thinking of when I suggested the 180 degree stat since he thought that running at 160 degrees was possibly too cold. The higher temps in traffic are due to airflow as discussed by others.
Most of us here would be happy to have this problem.
The tstat will not control the operating temp of the motor only the temp at which the temp allows the tstat to open. Changing the tstat will have no impact on this issue.
a 180 deg stat will open between 178-185.......this assures the engine will not go below that temperature........therefore the stat DOES control the minimum operating temperature.......,the maximum temp is controlled by the rest of the cooling system ....the t stat is always modulating, especially at cruise.....just thought i'd throw that out.....
a 180 deg stat will open between 178-185.......this assures the engine will not go below that temperature........therefore the stat DOES control the minimum operating temperature.......,the maximum temp is controlled by the rest of the cooling system ....the t stat is always modulating, especially at cruise.....just thought i'd throw that out.....
Most of us here would be happy to have this problem.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,691
Likes: 12
From: columbus oh
[QUOTE=1Sweet66;1571261587]
yep....180 is ideal..some folks don't believe it but especially on a street car it's beneficial....others think 190-195 too......
