Fox Radiator hose temp vs true coolant temp

93CalypsoConvert · Apr 10, 2022

Does anyone know difference between what a coolant hose temperature is vs the actual coolant temperature?

I am unsure if my engine is hot, or if my gauge is inaccurate. I am using a mechanical temp gauge. My temp gauge reads 200, but the upper radiator hose is only 145 using an infrared thermometer (no airflow across the hose). Hot-side heater hose reads 160.

Thermostat is 180 degree and IS working. Coolant is full.

General karthief · Apr 10, 2022

Shoot the coolant through the radiator filler neck, the rubber hose will be alot cooler than actual coolant temp.
I used to have the volt readings at certain temp. degrees, I'll look tomorrow.

foxbodybill89 · Apr 14, 2022

I've done the same thing, seems the infrared guns are much more accurate on a hard surface. Rubber is always cooler. The thermostat housing is a good place also to check temp. BTW 200 is not hot, you should have a 192 thermostat and run 205-215, unless you're converted to carb on your 93.

93CalypsoConvert · Apr 14, 2022

It is carbed. I'm going to knock the timing down tomorrow and see if that changes anything. My concern is why is it running hotter after nothing changed?

It ran at 180 without missing a beat. Hot summer days in stop and go traffic, now it can't keep itself under 200 cruising on a cool day with fans on 100%.

Here are some of my plugs. I don't think its a rich/lean problem

manicmechanic007 · Apr 15, 2022

The upper hose and coolant are real close in temp when the thermostat cycles (opens)
Also the heater output is within 3 degrees on a new one
With a 195 T stat you should get 192 out the vents (not using an infrared)( just a thermometer with mercury in it)
You will have to use an instant read on the radiator and upper hose. It should be within a few degrees as well

chrlsful · Apr 16, 2022

to me the white ashen look means too lean (hot) + the middle pic w/the lill mark on ceramic of center electrode ? The last of the 3 looks fouled (all the black soot inside the plug) which would B 2 opposites? 1st plug also a lill hot burning? I know this is not ur Q but did U use correct plug (did not take a colder or hotter plug for tuning or smething)?

manicmechanic007 · Apr 16, 2022

Don't back the timing off (you'll have more soot) Leave the timing at 10 degrees
Put a 195 degree thermostat in it and the coolant will stay in the radiator long enough to cool properly.
Then when it cycles you have that same few minutes to cool the coolant and repeat
That is a hard one to get your head around
Some of you it might take another 40 years

General karthief · Apr 17, 2022

manicmechanic007 said:
Don't back the timing off (you'll have more soot) Leave the timing at 10 degrees
Put a 195 degree thermostat in it and the coolant will stay in the radiator long enough to cool properly.
Then when it cycles you have that same few minutes to cool the coolant and repeat
That is a hard one to get your head around
Some of you it might take another 40 years

I don't have 40 years

KRUISR · Apr 17, 2022

Try your infrared gun on the driver side rad tank (metal part right near the outlet hose). This will be an accurate reading of your cooling system.

93CalypsoConvert said:
It ran at 180 without missing a beat. Hot summer days in stop and go traffic, now it can't keep itself under 200 cruising on a cool day with fans on 100%.

When you say fans on 100%, I assume you have electric fans and are they on a temp controller or toggle switch?

I have a 180 t-stat and a fan controller that comes on at 205. Coolant stays pretty consistent and fans rarely run while driving.

CAMTWO1070 · Apr 18, 2022

93CalypsoConvert said:
It is carbed. I'm going to knock the timing down tomorrow and see if that changes anything. My concern is why is it running hotter after nothing changed?

It ran at 180 without missing a beat. Hot summer days in stop and go traffic, now it can't keep itself under 200 cruising on a cool day with fans on 100%.

Here are some of my plugs. I don't think its a rich/lean problem

Looking at those plugs and you can see theres differences in the cylinders and thats indicative of cylinders that are operating at different temps...

Try starting it with the rad cap off and let it warm up and see if you get compression bubbles in your coolant.

Also use a temp gun and measure individual cylinder temps at the plugs... or headder tubes..

Sometimes if a car sits in too cold of temps the metal can shrink so bad it disrupts the seals on gaskets or if the headgaskets need to be retorqued and werent..

chrlsful · Apr 19, 2022

2 me, running fine (temp wise) unless pukin out the overflow or rad...

mikestang63 · Apr 20, 2022

get a cheap heat gun and when the engine warms up aim it at each header tube for each cylinder for variances. ALso, when pointing it at the lower and upper hoses you should see a difference as the coolant coming out the bottom hose is being cooled by the raidator and fan returning back to the water pump. The temp on each side of the thermostat and the upper hose should be about the same assumiong the thermostat is working and the engine gets up to temperature.

93CalypsoConvert · Apr 27, 2022

Late response... sorry.
I should state that all the plugs are fairly similar looking. They all have a soot mark on them. It is where the plug is facing the cylinder. The last picture I posted shows the soot mark facing the camera. The second picture also has a soot mark, it was just facing away from the camera.

All the cylinders are within 50 degrees of each other. Water pump is certainly pumping a good volume, I can't see any compression bubbles. The hottest spot I measured was very back of the thermostat housing at 196 degrees...

7991LXnSHO · Apr 27, 2022

General karthief said:
I don't have 40 years

Maybe it will make sense when we are senile or the laws of thermodynamics change?
Keeping the 195 degree thermostat and setting the timing right is a good idea, even if for the wrong reasons.

Fox Radiator hose temp vs true coolant temp

93CalypsoConvert

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General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

foxbodybill89

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93CalypsoConvert

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manicmechanic007

chrlsful

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manicmechanic007

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

KRUISR

CAMTWO1070

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chrlsful

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mikestang63

93CalypsoConvert

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7991LXnSHO

wanna catch the space herp

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Fox Radiator hose temp vs true coolant temp

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wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

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