Running Cool!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,035
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta Ga
Running Cool!
I can't believe the difference, I completed my L98 top end build about 2 weeks ago and I've noticed with all the test rides I've done that the car really seems to be running cooler. I'm here in Atlanta and last night around 6:00 it was still 90, I only saw about 189-191 in a light stop and go traffic
I swear before the build that same scenario would have been at least 10 degrees higher. I knew I had some form of a intermittent problem with low coolant that could have been a gasket leak or something, but I didn't expect this change, and its a good one!
It could be a new thermostat that I changed, maybe the 20 yr old one didn't open well?
Maybe just the engine rebuild and having all ports clean and sealed is a difference?
Some folks have mentioned due to reduced friction that temps can drop a bit the roller rockers, but not this much?
I'll give credit of at least 2 degrees to the amount of crud I cleaned off the engine!
Regardless of where it came from it's a great side benefit of the build.
I swear before the build that same scenario would have been at least 10 degrees higher. I knew I had some form of a intermittent problem with low coolant that could have been a gasket leak or something, but I didn't expect this change, and its a good one!
It could be a new thermostat that I changed, maybe the 20 yr old one didn't open well?
Maybe just the engine rebuild and having all ports clean and sealed is a difference?
Some folks have mentioned due to reduced friction that temps can drop a bit the roller rockers, but not this much?
I'll give credit of at least 2 degrees to the amount of crud I cleaned off the engine!
Regardless of where it came from it's a great side benefit of the build.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 553
Likes: 6
From: Northern VA
CONGRATULATIONS !!!!
This is a milestone for any C4 owner. I can totally relate too. I FINALLY am running cool with the A/C working after a major cooling system overhaul including a new ron davis radiator and spal fans.
I drove the car to Florida in 90 degree heat and even though my A/C was on, I saw no more than 192 in city traffic. I was literally worried I was running too cool on the highway.
Notice in this video clip that the coolant temps are around 169 . Any lower and it really might be a problem.
Welcome to the cool C4 club. Most everyone else is baking in their car with coolant temps running in the 210-230 range making the engine compartment and cabin unbearable unless you're in Alaska ....
Lee
http://www.labib.com/2cool.wmv
This is a milestone for any C4 owner. I can totally relate too. I FINALLY am running cool with the A/C working after a major cooling system overhaul including a new ron davis radiator and spal fans.
I drove the car to Florida in 90 degree heat and even though my A/C was on, I saw no more than 192 in city traffic. I was literally worried I was running too cool on the highway.
Notice in this video clip that the coolant temps are around 169 . Any lower and it really might be a problem.
Welcome to the cool C4 club. Most everyone else is baking in their car with coolant temps running in the 210-230 range making the engine compartment and cabin unbearable unless you're in Alaska ....
Lee
http://www.labib.com/2cool.wmv
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,035
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta Ga
No big performance mods were made only 1.6 roller rockers and a larger front Y-pipe with no pre-cats!
Wow 169 in FLA is real low, not sure how it could do that, you right that might actually be too low.
I'm not sure what did it, I tend to think that when all the coolant passages are clean and all the mating surfaces are tight the cooling system will work at its best and maybe that is what I've restored.
Wow 169 in FLA is real low, not sure how it could do that, you right that might actually be too low.
I'm not sure what did it, I tend to think that when all the coolant passages are clean and all the mating surfaces are tight the cooling system will work at its best and maybe that is what I've restored.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
No big performance mods were made only 1.6 roller rockers and a larger front Y-pipe with no pre-cats!
Wow 169 in FLA is real low, not sure how it could do that, you right that might actually be too low.
I'm not sure what did it, I tend to think that when all the coolant passages are clean and all the mating surfaces are tight the cooling system will work at its best and maybe that is what I've restored.
Wow 169 in FLA is real low, not sure how it could do that, you right that might actually be too low.
I'm not sure what did it, I tend to think that when all the coolant passages are clean and all the mating surfaces are tight the cooling system will work at its best and maybe that is what I've restored.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,336
Likes: 12
From: Chicago Executive Airport, formerly known as Palwaukee
No-IL Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
The oil temp is much more important than the water temp.
As long as your oil temp is 180 degrees and higher, you should be fine.
BTW, the LT1s and LT4s go into closed loop at 134 degrees water temp.
Cooler is MUCH better than hotter! I have been working on engines for almost forty (40) years. HEAT is the number 1 enemy of any reciprocating mass which depends on oil to lubricate surfaces, ie. a piston engine.
DRIVE ON!
As long as your oil temp is 180 degrees and higher, you should be fine.
BTW, the LT1s and LT4s go into closed loop at 134 degrees water temp.
Cooler is MUCH better than hotter! I have been working on engines for almost forty (40) years. HEAT is the number 1 enemy of any reciprocating mass which depends on oil to lubricate surfaces, ie. a piston engine.
DRIVE ON!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,035
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta Ga
Ran the car to work in ATL traffic this morning, temps are pretty high this week it was about 85 already at 8:30. On the highway at 70 the engine sat at 180, then after the highway run and in traffic it went up to 202 sitting at several lights. Before the rebuild I know this would have been up to 220 or so, I'm very pleased.
Once again not sure which change did it, I would point to an old partially working thermostat as the most likely problem, if it was open only 60-75% then the flow would not have been good to cool the coolant. I guess after 20yrs the thermostat was due!!!!
Once again not sure which change did it, I would point to an old partially working thermostat as the most likely problem, if it was open only 60-75% then the flow would not have been good to cool the coolant. I guess after 20yrs the thermostat was due!!!!
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,035
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta Ga
OK trip home was warmer, ATL temp at 6:30 was a solid 96 degrees, with the A/C on it went up to 202 on the highway running 71-73, then off the highway and stopped it hit a high of 209. While not crazy low it is lower than before for the conditions.