I searched a lot of threads tonight about water temps. I was in a cruise after a car show tonight with 600 other cars and it was about 110* on the asphalt. A lot of the threads I read say they are overheating but not refencing a temp. Is that saying that they were dumping fluid out of the overflow? (perhaps boiling at 212*?) Or are they simply saying they got hotter than they would have liked? I was running about 210* most of the night (still a new tight motor) but saw the far side of 230* once when I got caught in a picture posing frenzy. Car ran great and drove home at about 190-200* at 30mph. I know I need a shroud for idling and perhaps an electric fax as well. But, at what temperature are you guys nervous and consider it overheating? Thanks, Scott By the way, the show was great and yes I was the only Maverick out of 650 cars. I'll post some pics tommrw.
In my old cars I get nervous above 220f. My Stallion will top out there, but it was in the 70's here today and it never reached 200f. 230f will usually force me to get the car out in some wind and cool down real quick. Sometimes in traffic it will see 230f. Dan
-But to answer your original question, running 230 or more for very long will cause a blown head gasket and possibly warped head. "Overheating" is also when the radiator boils over...
I like to keep it 180-195. My new fan/radiator/relay setup will kick on at 195 and turn off at 175, and it can sit in the heat and idle all day long like that. Fan comes on about every 3 minutes, runs for 30-45 seconds, then turns off when idling... Sorry, just bragging But, notice how I am talking about how it idles and NOT about how it drives...it has been stuck in the garage for almost 6 months now with no seats and carpet (hope to get the carpet in today or next weekend at the latest... ). Before this fix, with the stock radiator, it would slowly heat up on the highway. I get nervous at 200 (not scared, just nervous because I know it will keep going up) then I pull over and take a break at 220. I could go about 30-40 miles at a time before it would get this hot, which would have made for long trips if I ever took one...
Get a shroud for sure .... My guage rarely moves above 185 no matter what's going on ... I have a 180 tstat installed .. Actually .. the only time it did go higher than 185 I knew something had to be wrong ... and sure enough there was a hole in my lower radiator hose ...
Pedal and sweat Who's callin' me old. Better watch youself, I'm federally protected now! I know my late model cars run at 210*, but I'm still very nervous when my hotrods exceed 200*. As for A/C, why oh why would I want to drive my classics when it's 120* here in the desert? Makes no sense to just put the wear and tear on them, plus sweat my a** off when I don't have to. That's what late model is for. Oh yeah, the only thing better than a 4-speed is...........a 5-speed!
I get nervous over 200. I know it isn't truely overheating, but I don't like it. One time, around 94, I got up to 230-240 and almost pee'd myself when I saw it. I was scared. Looking back, it didn't hurt anything, but I never got there again. 160 stat, shroud, mech fan, headers, tranny cooler, spring in lower hose, good rad cap, blocked intake risers, no A/C, Those are some things I consider the recipe for not exceeding 200*. Actually, with that list, I don't get close. 190* max when sitting. If you put A/C, then you need to add a row to your rad and an extra fan (electric) that comes on with A/C.
I agree...runs GREAT, but still need to get the carpet in. I loaned one of my caltracs to a buddy who wants to make some homemade, so I couldn't move my car away from the garage wall to install the carpet today, but I did finish the underlayment stuff. But I figure if it will idle in the driveway or garage in 90 degree weather, it should drive just fine. It ran fine and cool with this setup before I put the relay on (fan was always on) it just ran too cool in the cooler weather. Had a hard time getting to 160.
2 other things to watch, engine and tranny oil temp! Most do not have temp gauges for this, if you ever had gauges on oil temp you would be surprised! Engine idling for long periods will drive engine oil temp through the roof. Low speed and water temp getting 210 plus gets much attention real quick on pre emissions. Have to look at your situation and make the best decision you can!
Good info, Thanks. I am looking to install a shroud for now. Drove around most of today at about 190-200*. Met a sheetmetal guy today at the show who said he could make me a polished one for around $50.00. Cheap enough to try. Also, tranny never goes above 160-180* unless in a deep, prolonged stall. Which I don't do too often!
