• Mustang Forums
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech

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

  • Thread starter Thread starter 65and68Stang
  • Start date Start date May 17, 2004

65and68Stang

New Member
Apr 7, 2003
148
0
0
Raleigh, NC
May 17, 2004
#1
  • May 17, 2004
  • #1
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

Founding Member
Apr 21, 2002
3,870
73
109
Pensacola FL
May 17, 2004
#2
  • May 17, 2004
  • #2
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

New Member
Apr 7, 2003
148
0
0
Raleigh, NC
May 17, 2004
#3
  • May 17, 2004
  • #3
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
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

T
2001 Gt 5mt Cooling system question
  • tonylittell
  • Aug 28, 2022
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
4
Views
1K
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Dec 25, 2022
glennster5.0
G
Engine Engine Running hot. I cannot figure out why.
  • 79pace
  • May 28, 2020
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2
Replies
30
Views
5K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Dec 1, 2020
Decipha
Fox Why won’t my engine run cool
  • paddyrk
  • May 25, 2020
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
12
Views
2K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jan 25, 2021
Noobz347
C
Engine Turbo 306 Running Hot
  • CPalmer72
  • Aug 14, 2019
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
16
Views
3K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Aug 21, 2019
CPalmer72
C
Engine Another cooling system thread
  • LX Dave
  • Jul 26, 2020
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2
Replies
25
Views
5K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Aug 2, 2020
LX Dave
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?