Hi, I am still very new to Corvettes, and do not know very much yet. Can anyone tell me what the normal oil temp should be. I do not think my readings are correct. The numbers say 221F and the other only go's to the first mark. Is that normal. The Motor temp stay mostly below 200 F. Thanks for any information on this .

 

So you're saying that the digital readout says 221 while the analog gauge on the dash only goes to the first hashmark? And when you say motor temps, do you mean Coolant?

From what I understand, the analog gauge isn't super-accurate, so I'd go off of the digital gauge. In traffic, 220s sounds normal. Vettes were designed to run hotter than your average grocery getter (for emmisions purposes). Most people here see coolant temps that range from 190s to 220s. Oil temps vary depending on alot of things, but remember that it's gotta be above 212 for any moisture to boil out. Another 9 degrees doesn't sound like it's going to hurt anything. 230s or 240s...start thinking about shutting it down. Otherwise, drive on!

Welcome aboard - your obsession has just begun!

 

For me, "normal" is when the coolant & the oil temp are within 10 degrees of one another.

 

I think the digital gauge is more accurate than the analog one. The analog gauges are not a true linear gauge so it's pretty hard to reliably read the gauge with the lines on the face.

My 92's oil temps will usually read 190 to 210 degrees at freeway cruising speeds and will usually stay the same around town. When the amibient air temps reach the 90's the oil temp will climb slightly higher to 220 or so.

I have seen temps approaching 245-260 during track days where the track temps was about 135 degrees but if the high oil temps only stay there a short time, there should be no problems with that. As long as you use Mobil-1 oil you will be OK.

A couple of years ago I attended a seminar where Dave McLellan was a guest speaker and he talked about oil temps in the LT1 motor. He said that GM removed the oil cooler from the Corvette when they went to Mobil-1 synthetic in the LT1. The engineers felt that the cooler was unnecessary with the synthetic oil's ability to handle higher temperatures. Reducing costs and car weight were also factors but the primary reason was the ability of synthetic oil to handle heat.

GM worked with Lingenfelter and Doug Rippie to see what effect high temps (approaching 280 degrees!) from racing would have on the LT1 and synthetics and the test motors had no problems.

As long as you use Mobil-1 or a good synthetic that meets the GM 4718M standard for synthetic oils, you should have no problems with occasional high oil temps.

 

When you get out on a long run, especially in warmer weather, you're liable to see over 240. Don't be alarmed. Driving hard for extended periods will take it higher yet. The analog gauge doesn't even start to register until about 200 and the first mark beyond minimum is 215. The danger markings are at about 300, not that I wouldn't be concerned if it got anywhere near that! Mine did once.... when it wiped out the bearings. It's doing much better now!

 

Those temperatures are normal, for a car with no cooling mods.

If you clean the space between condensor and radiator, it should drop about 10-15F.

 

Thanks to all as I was concerned with the Oil Temp. I have only had this Corvette for a 2 weeks and did not get a owners manual. I have ordered a repair manual off Ebay. I bought a 93 6 speed with only 36K on the clock. I plan to change the oil& filter, fuel filter, air filter to a K&N , plugs, and trans fluid before I drive it a lot.