running Hot?

[91whiteponygt]

i have a 91 gt with h/c/i swap with a 180* thermostat. car now on a hot day with a/c running runs about 210*. is this wrong? car has edelbrock perf. heads, b-303, gt40 intake/man aod, 3.73, no converters, 2 chamber flows, aslo temp gauge reads wrong sometime when using headlights, but seems to read right during the day. please help

 

[FORCED2DV8]

As you make more power....you will generate more heat, 210 is a little hot from where I like it, try switching to a 160 t stat, make sure your anti freeze is 20% and water is 80%, You want to stay around 180 under normal driving conditions, Do you have a electric fan or stock still??

 

[91whiteponygt]

have a stock fan but would take some suggestion on an electric one. will the 160* not mess up the stock computer or anything?

 

[vristang]

Coolant temps of 160 - 180F can cause problems with the computer.

Your coolant level is not that low.

I would look into a good e- fan before switching to a 160F stat. There are some potential downsides to that. Downsides to an e- fan is less drag on the motor = More power (not too bad for the downside).

Also, 210 is not that hot for having a/c on. I try to keep my coolant temp around 200F. If your system is in good shape and you don't see high temps where you live then you should be able to push the temp up for increased preformance, engine durability, and decreased emissions.

Just my opinion,
jason

 

[feifong]

210 is not that bad for an h/c/i swap mine actually creeps up to 240 after my swap ive been running it with no tstat because i didnt want it to overheaat and it looks like thats what its doing.

 

[88Stang331]

Like what was said above, make sure you have the right combination of Coolant/Water (distilled). I have Stock t-stat and a head/intake swap and my car runs cooler i think.

 

[91whiteponygt]

what is any easy way to check and make sure my stock gauge is working properly, also i just put in a 3,000 stall torque converter

 

[just4bob50]

210 is not that bad for an h/c/i swap mine actually creeps up to 240 after my swap ive been running it with no tstat because i didnt want it to overheaat and it looks like thats what its doing.

Running no t-stat can actually make your engine temps higher ,because the flow rate of the coolant is increased so much that the coolant doesnt spend enought time in the radiator to cool it down enough. If you are having temps above 210 on a 180 t-stat and the guages are accurate then it is probrably time for a rad. and water pump upgrade. After I changed to a Summit aluminum rad. and high flow pump I never see temps above 195 and that when Im pounding on it. Most times it floats between 178-183.

 

[91whiteponygt]

the car also had 65mm bbk tb and c&l maf

 

[HISSIN50]

Does it seem to cool off once you get going on the highway, etc? I would want to determine if the radiator is unable to reject enough heat overall (running hot at all times) or if it's running hotter while stopped or going slow (more likely a fan issue).

Of course, things like the chin spoiler, U/D pulleys, etc all factor into considerations.

Good luck.