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Running Too Cool???

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Old Jun 1, 2013 | 06:19 PM
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Default Running Too Cool???

My '59 (283) temp gauge now shows 140 deg. while in Houston weather, now in the low 90's. Use to run straight up at 180 deg. in cooler weather. Now at the first tick mark, presume 140 deg.
Thermostat stuck open (160 deg. thermostat 2 years old)??? Have direct drive fan clutch and insulation around the radiator.
How harmful???
Thanks for any feedback.
Bob
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Old Jun 1, 2013 | 06:25 PM
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First thing I would do is shoot the thermostat housing with an IR gun to confirm what your gauge says. Did this just start happening or has it been going on for a while?

Report back with your findings.



Jim
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Old Jun 1, 2013 | 06:35 PM
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Just started happening with the start of hot weather. Guess I need to order an IR gun. Or I can hold a food thermometer to the housing.
thanks, Jim
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Old Jun 1, 2013 | 07:05 PM
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Originally Posted by 65Bob-bo
Just started happening with the start of hot weather. Guess I need to order an IR gun. Or I can hold a food thermometer to the housing.
thanks, Jim
You can pick one up at Harbor Freight for under $30 with one of their 20% off coupons. Maybe not the best one around, but OK for the occasional user.

http://www.harborfreight.com/infrare...act-69465.html
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Old Jun 2, 2013 | 09:38 AM
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I wish mine would do that with the start of our hot weather! Mine's spending its usual summer in the garage with the occasional trip around the neighborhood because it's just too dang HOT around here until October.
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Old Jun 2, 2013 | 10:12 AM
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Mine runs 165* all the time. Is that too cool?
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Old Jun 2, 2013 | 10:20 AM
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Avispa,

On our Route 66 trip, we ran into the first hot weather in Seligman, Az and Needles, Ca. Now, it was only 91 degrees, probably cool by where you live, so we threw the air on in town and watched the temp gauge go to 210, hot but within operating range (my gauge reads right). Once we were rolling, she gradually cooled down to just to the right of center, 'bout 185. The interior was comfortably cool.

Here's a shot of the gauge just after we got going on the highway, about 55 mph.

Jim
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Old Jun 2, 2013 | 10:21 AM
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A shot of the outside temp from my wife's IPhone
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Old Jun 2, 2013 | 10:26 AM
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Here's a shot after we were rolling for 10 minutes with the air blasting away.
Speed was right at 65 mph.
Regards,

Jim
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Last edited by 6T5RUSH; Jun 2, 2013 at 10:27 AM. Reason: Added comment
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Old Jun 2, 2013 | 12:05 PM
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You can get an idea if the thermo ois working by looking at the gauge. If the needle goes up rather quickly, and STAYS at the same temp, it shows where the thermo opens and its controlling the water temp properly.

If it takes a while to rise, and goes up and down , then prob its stuck open. Also feel the top hose when cold..see if it gradually warms or abruptly gets hot
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Old Jun 3, 2013 | 11:06 AM
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Mike, good advice. Will give it a try.
thanks, Bob
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Old Jun 3, 2013 | 02:14 PM
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One thing you can be sure of. It's either a sender or gauge issue.

There is no way-no how it will actually run at 140 in our climate this time of year. Even with no thermostat.

Last edited by MiguelsC2; Jun 3, 2013 at 02:16 PM.
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Old Jun 5, 2013 | 07:57 AM
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Originally Posted by MiguelsC2
One thing you can be sure of. It's either a sender or gauge issue.

There is no way-no how it will actually run at 140 in our climate this time of year. Even with no thermostat.
I work out of town during the week so this weekend I'll find the local Harbor Freight. Appreciate your input.
Bob
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Old Jun 22, 2013 | 12:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Mike67nv
You can pick one up at Harbor Freight for under $30 with one of their 20% off coupons. Maybe not the best one around, but OK for the occasional user.

http://www.harborfreight.com/infrare...act-69465.html
My Harbour Freight IR gun came in (ordered) and fired the '59 up. Let the '59 idle for about 15 minutes with temp at housing moving up to 165 deg.F (160 deg.thermostat). Gauge read 120 deg.
Drove for about half-hour, gauge stayed at 140.
Who sells the correct sending unit??
BTW, thermostat housing read 182 deg. F after drive.

Last edited by 65Bob-bo; Jun 22, 2013 at 01:20 PM.
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Old Jun 22, 2013 | 12:46 PM
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Originally Posted by 65Bob-bo
Let the '59 idle for about 15 minutes with temp at housing moving up to 165 deg.F (160 deg.thermostat). Gauge read 120 deg.
Drove for about half-hour, gauge stayed at 140.
Who sells the correct sending unit??
Lots of places claim to sell the correct sending unit, but the reality is that nobody does - some are close, some are not. The Wells TU-5, the BWD WT-203, and the Standard ST-6 appear to be fairly close most of the time, but they need to be I.R. gun checked after installation so you know what the actual variation is.
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Old Jun 22, 2013 | 01:21 PM
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John, thanks for information.
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Old Jun 22, 2013 | 01:36 PM
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My stock 61 runs at 165 and goes to 180 when stopped in Orlando summer heat,
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Old Jun 22, 2013 | 01:42 PM
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I'll trade you Orlando for Houston.
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Old Jun 22, 2013 | 02:18 PM
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buy a decent mechanical gauge. my yellow zone starts at 230F
red 250
peg 280
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Old Jun 23, 2013 | 11:57 AM
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John Z:
The BWD WT-203 (OReilly's had one) works like a top. Gauge reads 180 deg.F and IR gun reads 177.5 deg. F. Close enough. Thanks for the great advice.
BTW, temp inside the fridge is 39 deg.F.
Bob
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