Too cool?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,323
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From: I KNOW JESUS... HE'S MY GARDENER
Too cool?
Just installed a hi-flo aluminum water pump, 16" elec. fan and an aluminum radiator. While apart, I also installed a Milodon hi-flo 180 t-stat.
Idling (in hot FLA sun), car reaches 170 (I'm using a quality manual-sender & guage).
Does this mean my t-stat isn't opening? Is this considered a "problem"?
Idling (in hot FLA sun), car reaches 170 (I'm using a quality manual-sender & guage).
Does this mean my t-stat isn't opening? Is this considered a "problem"?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
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From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Originally Posted by SkunkApe
Just installed a hi-flo aluminum water pump, 16" elec. fan and an aluminum radiator. While apart, I also installed a Milodon hi-flo 180 t-stat.
Idling (in hot FLA sun), car reaches 170 (I'm using a quality manual-sender & guage).
Does this mean my t-stat isn't opening? Is this considered a "problem"?
Idling (in hot FLA sun), car reaches 170 (I'm using a quality manual-sender & guage).
Does this mean my t-stat isn't opening? Is this considered a "problem"?
if anything it means the thermostat isn't closing ...or the guage is wrong ....or the thermo stat is calibrated wrong...
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,959
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From: North Bend Ohio
A cool running engine will tend to collect moisture in the crankcase. This can combine with unburned gasoline to form acidic compounds. Thermostats were developed to raise engine temperature quickly to prevent this. If this car were mine I would put a 195 degree 'stat in it. The engine will rid itself of moisture better and run more efficiently.
BigBlockk
Later.....
BigBlockk
Later.....
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: I KNOW JESUS... HE'S MY GARDENER
Originally Posted by BigBlockk
If this car were mine I would put a 195 degree 'stat in it. The engine will rid itself of moisture better and run more efficiently.
But...if the temp never reaches 195, will the t-stat ever open? I don't think my 180 t-stat is opening as the temp doesn't get above 170.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,906
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From: Berlin
There is no way that your engine would remain at a stable temperature with the thermostat completely closed. Your thermostat certainly is opening (at least partially) at 170 (or whatever your gauge claims is 170).
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,063
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From: Beverly Massachusetts
Originally Posted by SkunkApe
Yes, I've heard of the condensation issue.
But...if the temp never reaches 195, will the t-stat ever open? I don't think my 180 t-stat is opening as the temp doesn't get above 170.
But...if the temp never reaches 195, will the t-stat ever open? I don't think my 180 t-stat is opening as the temp doesn't get above 170.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,323
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From: I KNOW JESUS... HE'S MY GARDENER
OK. I understand now. There could be a 10 degree "margin of error". If the car is staying at a "stable" temp, that indicates water is flowing thru the rad (via the open t-stat).
Thanks.
Thanks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,063
Likes: 1
From: Beverly Massachusetts
Originally Posted by SkunkApe
OK. I understand now. There could be a 10 degree "margin of error". If the car is staying at a "stable" temp, that indicates water is flowing thru the rad (via the open t-stat).
Thanks.
Thanks.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,063
Likes: 1
From: Beverly Massachusetts
just had another thought. t-stats work off of heat and dont just open fully and close fully as it hits a desired temp so i was thinking that because your system is so efficient that what might be happening is that once the temp gets to 170 the t-stat is just starting to open and letting just enough coolent to flow through and not reaching the full 180 so you arnt getting that big coolant rush and bigger temp drop to fully close the t-stat so you might have a slightly open slower coolant flow but as always i could be wrong.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,025
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From: Billings MT
LiquidDragon: You would be surprised at how fast the t-stat's open when they hit their temperature, and I have found by boiling them in water with a temperature gauge that the good ones are quite accurate and start opening within 1-2F of the advertised number.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,025
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From: Billings MT
CGGorman: I just got this reply in my email, but it is not here:
I will assume that was directed at me. And yes as a matter of fact it just so happens that I have a mineshaft that is 3500' deep where I have a laboratory to test thermastats...
give me a break. :rollseyes:
Of course, you were using a calibrated thermometer, distilled water, and conducting the test at sea level...right?
give me a break. :rollseyes:
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2005
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Originally Posted by SkunkApe
Yes, I've heard of the condensation issue.
But...if the temp never reaches 195, will the t-stat ever open? I don't think my 180 t-stat is opening as the temp doesn't get above 170.
But...if the temp never reaches 195, will the t-stat ever open? I don't think my 180 t-stat is opening as the temp doesn't get above 170.
edit:never mind...you got it now...
Last edited by rihwoods; May 25, 2005 at 12:03 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Smile, it's just the internet.
Originally Posted by VETDRMS
CGGorman: I just got this reply in my email, but it is not here:
I will assume that was directed at me. And yes as a matter of fact it just so happens that I have a mineshaft that is 3500' deep where I have a laboratory to test thermastats...
give me a break. :rollseyes:
I will assume that was directed at me. And yes as a matter of fact it just so happens that I have a mineshaft that is 3500' deep where I have a laboratory to test thermastats...
give me a break. :rollseyes:
Good call on the mine shaft. I keep my wine in mine.
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,442
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From: Flanders NJ
Alot of people misunderstand the purpose of the tstat. It regulates the minimun temp. of the coolant not the max. temp. It stays closed till the coolant reaches the temp. it is set for then opens. After that the coolant can run at 250 degrees or what ever, but if it goes below the set temp. the tstat will close till it comes back up to temp.
Putting in a 160 degree tstat will not stop the coolant temp from going over 160 degrees.
Putting in a 160 degree tstat will not stop the coolant temp from going over 160 degrees.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: I KNOW JESUS... HE'S MY GARDENER
Originally Posted by chris75stingray
wow, this is the first time i have ever heard about a car running too cool.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 228
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From: Tampa FL
Mine runs steady at 160, according to the guage. I asked the person I bought it from and he said that he installed a 160 thermostat (not sure why). Car has 72 L48 with a 327/350 cam and stock cooling system (new radiator). I think I may install the 195, as suggested here.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
WHat motor do you have ? You might be the only C3 owner that has a properly workng cooling system or your temp gauge is inacurate 