temp question , running too hot? or gauge, need quick answer
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 493
Likes: 1
From: yarmouth ma
temp question , running too hot? or gauge, need quick answer
just put car on road. stock thermostat is 195 and is brand new, but temp gauge is telling me 220. gauge does work, should i put in lower thermostat? and if so what temp do you think
thanks
thanks
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 607
Likes: 0
From: North Alabama
Depending on the driving conditions, anywhere from 195-220 really isnt that bad...but you might want to consider using a digital sensing thermometer or one from your kitchen and check the temp at the radiator before changing out another thermostat.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,760
Likes: 2,511
From: Buckeye, AZ
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
If your running hot then the thermostat is open all the time anyhow. Putting a lower one in will just cause the thermostat to open sooner. you could try it, but I bet you will still run hot. If you have a 195 thermostat the temp guage should read around 195. You have something else going on. Are you running a 50/50 blend of antifreeze? too much water or straight water will cause it to run hotter as well.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 493
Likes: 1
From: yarmouth ma
thanks, not sure on antifreeze mixture, dont remember what i did. radiator was flushed and checked, so i know its clean. i dont have the foam gaskets around the shroud, but i dont think that would make much diff. i will keep thinking
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 493
Likes: 1
From: yarmouth ma
ok, used the wifes cooking gauge, its not digital, its mechanical. i had it submerged in the rad in the antifreeze, it consistently read 160 degrees. Could my sender in the block be off? i did put a new one in there. i don't think the gauge its self could be off. my neighbor has an infer red temp reader, i will borrow that
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
you forgot to mention you put as new sending unit in ? 
that might be kinda important in trying to diagnose your problem.
anytime you install a new sending unit, you need to research the part #
and do not assume the 16 kid at Auto Zone gave you the right part.
then check it with an ohmmeter hot and cold.
Me personally, I check all my sending units and thermostat in a pan of boiling water with a thermometer, then install into the car.
that might be kinda important in trying to diagnose your problem.
anytime you install a new sending unit, you need to research the part #
and do not assume the 16 kid at Auto Zone gave you the right part.
then check it with an ohmmeter hot and cold.
Me personally, I check all my sending units and thermostat in a pan of boiling water with a thermometer, then install into the car.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
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
Pro
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 699
Likes: 3
From: Millersville, MD
With the IR gun you would be taking a temperature reading close to the thermostat for a close actual temperature. This new sending unit you put in is probably wrong. I went through three sending units after replacing my heads to get an actual verified temperature.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 317
Likes: 2
From: coral gables miami
1979 Cars including Vettes are computer controlled and the emission standards require a 195 stat. and 200-220 temperature is not out of line. If your overly concerned you might check your radiator for cool spots where there may be a blockage. Again this too could cause warmer than usual temps. and older radiators may require some attention. But 220 with that year is still acceptable......
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,246
Likes: 4
From: Bay Area CA
If you don't know when you changed your radiator last, try a new one. Autozone ones are fine and a bargain, can make a huge difference. All the heat transfer happens at the inside of the brass, if you got deposits, it will really greatly reduce the heat transfer efficiency, like running a rad 1/2 the size, or smaller. I'de change my sender first, though, if i were you.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 493
Likes: 1
From: yarmouth ma
computer controlled?? there is no computer in my car, no has there ever been one. thanks for all the help, i will change out the sending unit for sure, the rad was flushed and checked, hope its ok
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,197
Likes: 4,184
From: Kannapolis NC
1979 Cars including Vettes are computer controlled and the emission standards require a 195 stat. and 200-220 temperature is not out of line. If your overly concerned you might check your radiator for cool spots where there may be a blockage. Again this too could cause warmer than usual temps. and older radiators may require some attention. But 220 with that year is still acceptable......
.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 4
From: Regina Saskatchewan
One of the reasons I bought my '79s was because of the lack of computer. I really noticed highway temps drop DRAMATICALLY when I upgraded to the 700R tranny. Just another reason to make the swap!
