coolant temp question

J

johny

New Member

Jun 14, 2003

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Jun 9, 2006

#1

• Jun 9, 2006

• #1

So i just recently rebuild a 306. Trick flow heads heads, intake, cam, 130 amp alt, and 96 turas fan set up. It has a 4 core radiator, not alum. High flow water pump but does have under drive pulleys. 180 t-stat with 1/8 inch whole drilled in top. I also have the dcc fan controler. My question is pretty much all the time I run about 200-205. I know thats not to bad but I figured with the set up I have it should be running about 185-195. What kind of temps are you guys running. By the way my dcc is set at 187 and I have tried the sensor at the inlet hose and at the outlet hose on the rad. and no change. Thanks for any info

 

8

86bluecobra

Advanced Member

Dec 20, 2004

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B.C. Canada

Jun 9, 2006

#2

• Jun 9, 2006

• #2

that does seem a little hot but i would say most of us guys are running 3 core aluminum rads. If i'm idling in traffic i get to that temp but if i'm cruising i never see above 180. pretty much sits on 180 all the time.

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

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Jun 9, 2006

#3

• Jun 9, 2006

• #3

What brand of stat? Many dont open when advertised, which could very easily cause you to run hotter than expected (your having to drill a hole in the stat made me think it might not be a high-flow unit).

How fresh is the motor? If it doesnt have many miles on it, it might be bedding-in and running a little hotter than it will.

Good luck.

 

vristang

15 Year Member

Mar 31, 2005

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Seattle

Jun 9, 2006

#4

• Jun 9, 2006

• #4

I am starting to think that Tstats are a little weird.
I have a 197F stat (Prestone) and have never datalogged over 195F.

Normally, a stat will keep your temps slightly higher than the stat rating.

I would not worry about the temps you are seeing, unless you get high spikes when you drive "enthusiastically"
From the reading I have done the low 200s is a good range for economy/power/emissions/durability.

The 4 core may actually be a bit of an airflow restriction, inhibiting the radiators ability?

For reference I am running a brass 2 core.

What kind of gauge are you checking your coolant temp with?

jason

 

D

dustang31

New Member

Jun 27, 2004

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Sacto, CA

Jun 10, 2006

#5

• Jun 10, 2006

• #5

thats what i read as well low 200's is the temp that the motor was designed to run at......

well at least the stock motor

 

J

johny

New Member

Jun 14, 2003

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Jun 10, 2006

#6

• Jun 10, 2006

• #6

Its a motorcraft t-stat. I did check it on the stove in hot water. At 180 it pretty much opens all the way. I have on autometer mech. guage that Im using. The motor has about 400 miles on it. I have pretty much come to the conclusion that its the rad. causing the problem. Like I said I know low 200 is not bad but I plan on running a supercharger in the future and I would like to see 185-195 the way its set up now. What kind of alum. radiators are you guys running. What do you recomend. I see a couple on e-bay.

 

vristang

15 Year Member

Mar 31, 2005

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Jun 10, 2006

#7

• Jun 10, 2006

• #7

johny -
I would think the problem would have more to do with how many rows there are in the rad, rather than what material it is.

I think I mentioned above that I have a 2 core in my 408w, which works very well.

The thicker the radiator the tougher it will be for the fan to pull air through it. The amount of resistance increases quite rapidly one you get into 3 and 4 cores.

Just my thoughts, I would like to hear others,
jason