Normal operating temperatures????
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
From: Austin TX
Normal operating temperatures????
Hello...My recent 350 build up is running good. In town its running 180-200 but when i got on the highway it surges to 220 at 70, but at 55 it runs 205. Im running water wetter in the system but i dont know what to do. The timing is good now. Would the transmission be heating the water so much??
Thanks for any help.
Nicholas
Thanks for any help.
Nicholas
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 5,877
Likes: 1
From: Park Ridge IL
Re: Normal operating temperatures???? (jaggeedfire)
That sounds about right for a stock cooling system equipped car. As long as you have all of your spoilers, deflectors, seals, fan shroud, etc, that's probably about as good as you're going to get short of upgrading to an aluminum radiator, aluminum high volume water pump, etc.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,160
Likes: 0
From: Ajax Ontario
Re: Normal operating temperatures???? (Monty)
Worth checking entire system for problems, plugging, incorrect or faulty thermostat, maybe even a guage problem. What temp thermostat are you running?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 2,897
Likes: 0
From: Moon Township PA
Re: Normal operating temperatures???? (jaggeedfire)
You didn't say what year or options, but I have a hard time accepting the fact that a small block should run that hot at highway speeds. I don't think your radiator is keeping up with your heat. How old is the radiator and what type? Has it ever been rodded out or rebuilt? My 66 would heat up only on the highway and I did all the tricks to keep it cool. In the long run, once I replaced the 33 year old radiator I could drive as fast as I wanted to without breaking 200 degrees. If you can keep the temps ok around town but not on the highway, and you have a radiator problem.
Gary
Gary
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 16,416
Likes: 1
From: NC,USA
Re: Normal operating temperatures???? (GaryS)
different temps for different cars, i would try to find a nice operating temperature that works best for your car, ie it would run the smoothest etc
ZD :seeya
ZD :seeya
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
From: Austin TX
Re: Normal operating temperatures???? (68shark)
Its a 77 L48. I just rebuild with all original parts except the Edel. intake. I also have a 160 thermastate installed brand new. I can open the rad. cap when its running and watch the coolant flow well. Tonight on the road or any night it runns extremely cool....I am suspecting the radiator. Would 'super flush' do the trick or would i have to take it to a shop??
Thanks,
Nicholas
Thanks,
Nicholas
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Re: Normal operating temperatures???? (JRChurch)
If everything else is fine you probably need to rod out rad. as GaryS
said. About every 10 yrs. or so it is typically needed.
Rick
You want a min. water temp. of 180 to prevent wear. Go to a 180.
:cool:
said. About every 10 yrs. or so it is typically needed.
Rick
You want a min. water temp. of 180 to prevent wear. Go to a 180.
:cool:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,286
Likes: 8
From: San Jose California
Re: Normal operating temperatures???? (jaggeedfire)
Before you go too far, I would make sure your gauge is calibrated. Mine read about 40 degrees hotter than actual temp. Needed an inline resistor (Radio Shack) between gauge and sending unit.
Chuck
Chuck
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
From: Austin TX
Re: Normal operating temperatures???? (Chuck Harmon)
I have the stock gauge and an oil press. and water temp console guage for my engine...The both comfirm each other. Its running hot but now that the rad. is suspect, how hard and what steps should i take to get it out? How much does it normally cost to have it rod out??
Thanks,
Nicholas
--77 L48 w/ac for any questions concerning equip
Thanks,
Nicholas
--77 L48 w/ac for any questions concerning equip
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 65,981
Likes: 15
Re: Normal operating temperatures???? (JRChurch)
JRCHURCH,
Mine ran that cool without a thermostat as well. Later I saw a graph that showed that an engine has the greatest performance between 160 to 180 degrees; the downside is that an engine will wear faster at cooler temperatures. Engine wear is lowest between 180 to 200 degrees.
Mine ran that cool without a thermostat as well. Later I saw a graph that showed that an engine has the greatest performance between 160 to 180 degrees; the downside is that an engine will wear faster at cooler temperatures. Engine wear is lowest between 180 to 200 degrees.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Tx
Re: Normal operating temperatures???? (jerryp58)
I have a stock '75 vette (L-48) and the engine has never been into. It had a 195 thermostate and it ran about 200 at all times, ideling, highway and in heavy traffic. Then changed it out to a 180 now runs at that temp at all times......150??? That's to cold for that engine to run it's best. Beside's the heater won't heat properly in the colder climits during the winter either...... Just my .02's worth :D
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,154
Likes: 3,959
From: Connecticut, USA
Re: Normal operating temperatures???? (jaggeedfire)
I had this problem w/69 this summer. Everything was good except the carb was too lean. Lars rejetted it and solved the problem.
Gary
Gary
