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Engine Operating Tempature

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Old Dec 28, 2004 | 05:56 PM
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Default Engine Operating Tempature

This probally sounds like a dumb question. But my LT1 is running with a water temp of 207 degrees. Is this to hot? A friend of mine says it should be down in the 180s is this correct or is the low 200's normal?
Thanks for any and all help.
Happy New Year
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Old Dec 28, 2004 | 06:01 PM
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i was in a parade over the summer, temp went 230 fortunatly as it hit that temp the parade ended for me and i, along with the rest of the group i was with were able to "cool" them down. damn, i thought it was gonna pop
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Old Dec 28, 2004 | 06:05 PM
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I posted a similar question some time ago - check out this thread - helpful info.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=933284

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Old Dec 28, 2004 | 08:59 PM
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Hello,
My 86 runs at 225 before the thermostat opens, or the fans come on. Then it cools down to 200. Then back up again. At first I was worried about it, but after reading many posts on the forum it appears that this may be fairly common.

If there is some worry about it there are bypass switches that allow you to either lower the temp that the fans come on, or manually turn the fans on when the car is sitting in traffic, and there is not enough air flow to cool them off.

And speaking of air flow, there was an article that talked about replacing the spoiler/airdam if it gets too battered from daily driving, and running into curbs, sidewalks, parking barriers. Apparently if it is broken or removed then the effectiveness of using it to direct air over the raditor becomes diminished somewhat, and can lead to higher temperatures.

kdf
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Old Dec 28, 2004 | 09:04 PM
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Not a dumb question at all but it is a topic that has been floged about a kazillion times. Suggest you do a search on the topic. You will find out more about Corvette cooling systems that you ever wanted to know.
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Old Dec 28, 2004 | 09:24 PM
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Your temp is fine, don't worry. My LT1 with a perfectly clean, inside and out radiator, electric water pump, etc. ran around 210 or even a little higher in very hot weather. The fans were set to come on sooner during a recent dyno tuning and now it runs right around 200. But 210-220 for these cars is not abnormal and will do no harm. BTW, 180 is too cool for these engines. They are designed to run at the higher temps with no problem and will operate most efficiently at 200 and over.

Last edited by Corvette Kid; Dec 28, 2004 at 09:29 PM.
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Old Dec 28, 2004 | 09:39 PM
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Temp is fine. I'm wondering how you got that username, we already have someone here with that name.(although without the capital letters I think).
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Old Dec 29, 2004 | 12:30 AM
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You are fine.... mines hit 235 before. I freaked so I bought a 160 stat and then found out that these things are designed to run hot for emissions... OOPS. I wouldn't worry about it
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Old Dec 29, 2004 | 02:52 AM
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that's perfectly normal my 93 lt1 runs up to 228 before the fans come on i put that watter wetter stuff in it and it runs cooler usually never runs hot enough for the fans to come on.
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Old Dec 29, 2004 | 09:23 AM
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Default All our LT1s run a little different temps.....

When you go through this subject, we all run a little different temps. The LT1 was made to run at speed at around 190 and around town/traffic, 200-210. Some run higher and some run cooler. It depends on many things. Age of the radiator, coolant mixture, how clean the space between the radiator and the A/C condensor and many other things.
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Old Dec 29, 2004 | 10:33 AM
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Originally Posted by Corvette Kid NC
Your temp is fine, don't worry. My LT1 with a perfectly clean, inside and out radiator, electric water pump, etc. ran around 210 or even a little higher in very hot weather. The fans were set to come on sooner during a recent dyno tuning and now it runs right around 200. But 210-220 for these cars is not abnormal and will do no harm. BTW, 180 is too cool for these engines. They are designed to run at the higher temps with no problem and will operate most efficiently at 200 and over.
Thats what Corvette Fever says. The factory says the samething.
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Old Dec 29, 2004 | 11:40 AM
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Originally Posted by Corvette Kid NC
Your temp is fine, don't worry. My LT1 with a perfectly clean, inside and out radiator, electric water pump, etc. ran around 210 or even a little higher in very hot weather. The fans were set to come on sooner during a recent dyno tuning and now it runs right around 200. But 210-220 for these cars is not abnormal and will do no harm. BTW, 180 is too cool for these engines. They are designed to run at the higher temps with no problem and will operate most efficiently at 200 and over.
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Old Dec 29, 2004 | 02:07 PM
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Originally Posted by kdf1986
If there is some worry about it there are bypass switches that allow you to either lower the temp that the fans come on, or manually turn the fans on when the car is sitting in traffic, and there is not enough air flow to cool them off.
You can also turn the A/C on when it gets too hot. That forces the fans on and cools the engine pretty quickly. I'm a '94 LT1 and do about 188-192 when moving. 220-228 when sitting in traffic. I usually turn on the A/C around 220, though.
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