So, in theory, how hot should my engine run (safely)?

[65and68Stang]

Here are all my specs.

I am fighting the warming temps out here in muggy, humid North Carolina. In order to make sure I've won the battle, I need to know what's the hottest my car should get when sitting in traffic or at low speed crawls. At highway speeds its no problem, I can keep her right at 180. In traffic, it can start getting up around 210+.

So how hot is too hot?

Thanks guys!

Kelton

 

[ratio411]

In theory the car should run the same temp no matter highway or traffic.
The fact that your car runs 180 on the highway, but is hotter in traffic means that you are not getting enough airflow at slow speeds.
Your fan or shroud (or both) are not providing proper airflow.
You can feel confident that everything else is working properly because you have no trouble on the highway. Forward motion is providing the airflow you need.
Upgrade your fan and/or make sure shroud is properly fitted to both fan and radiator.
If you feel that you have both your fan and shroud in order, you could install a thermostatically controlled auxillary electric fan.
Good luck
Dave

 

[65and68Stang]

Thanks Dave.

I originally had a 12" Flex-A-Lite electric but it only pulled 1250cfm and covered about 1/2 of the radiator fin-area, so I have now put a Flex-A-Lite 17" flex-fan on. It seems to work a bit better, and cools things down alot quicker once the car is moving again. I am trying to find a shround now that will fit my application, hoping that will help the stand-still cooling.

If the car is supposed to run the same whether moving or sitting still, I would LOVE it if I could get it to stay at 180 in traffic!

Thanks,

Kelton