Can any one help
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
Your thermostat housing reading doesn't make sense. Do you have an aluminum manifold or bare aluminum thermostat housing. IR temp gets get thrown off by reflective surfaces. Instructions which came with the one I have suggest using masking tape to cover the reflective surface. Seemed to work when I tested it on my expansion tank, aluminum.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 805
Likes: 5
From: Naperville Illinois
Viewed from the driver's seat, the hot coolant from the engine flows from top left to bottom right, exchanging heat with the air throught the radiator fins along the way. it would seem normal for the reading to be warmer on the inlet side, but the temps you are getting make no sense--the water neck should be the warmest of all of the places you took readings. Have you verified that coolant is not contaminated, coolant level is correct, and that the lower hose is not collapsing when hot? How much crud buildup do you see in the tube ends/tank when you take the cap off? Hoses correct/stock or universal?
My original radiator was gunked up, had been painted, and never seemed to cool the same two days in a row. Replacement aluminum radiator with new stock hoses, stock fan with new clutch, and a good flush worked wonders. Once I got the timing correctly advanced, my troubles were over. Guage says 190* - 200*, temp gun says 170* - 180*. Now when I get stuck in traffic on a hot day I can concentrate on finding a good song on the radio
My original radiator was gunked up, had been painted, and never seemed to cool the same two days in a row. Replacement aluminum radiator with new stock hoses, stock fan with new clutch, and a good flush worked wonders. Once I got the timing correctly advanced, my troubles were over. Guage says 190* - 200*, temp gun says 170* - 180*. Now when I get stuck in traffic on a hot day I can concentrate on finding a good song on the radio
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
An accurate reading at the thermostat housing would tell you what temp the engine is running at.
Are you having overheating problems? I don't think you said whether it's a big block or small block. Big blocks tend to run warmer.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
My big block runs around 200 - 210 unless idling for an extended period.
I think the owners manual says it can go to 230...
I'm still working on mine. Fan clutch is shot, fan shroud extension hasn't been installed yet, and some seals are missing so mine isn't running as efficient as it should. I'd like to see it at 185 - 195, consistently, idling or running.
I've received mixed reviews on the stock radiator used with a big block. Some tell me they have no trouble. Others switched to an aluminum replacement.