What oil psi and water temp do you see?

[Killer50stang]

Howdy,
Just bought a 90 LX, worried about the oil pres. and water temp. Just put in new AutoMeter gauges and I'm seeing about 24 psi cold, and 15 psi hot on the oil, and 180 cruisin', and pushin 200 degrees sittin' in traffic. The engine is not stock, but I'm still trying to figure out what all has been done. Could it be a bad oil pump, or just a loose engine, would a cooler thermostat fix the temp??

GTJAMMER

Sounds like normal temp on the water, nothing to worry about. Do you have an electric fan? What's timing set to?

 

[Mustang5L5]

I have a 180* stat in mine and mine sits at a consistent 188 degrees no matter what. Only time it moves is when i shut the fan off for a 1/4 run. It jumps to 195 but quickly comes down.

For oil, i get bout 55-65psi on cold startup. WHen warm it idles around 25 psi and jumps to 55psi when i rev it

 

[1bad86GT]

I get about 60psi when I first start it up, it idles at about 30-40 when the engine gets nice and hot. Going down the road at 70mph its about 50psi. The temp I've been struggling with, but I just put in a three row radiator, so now on a hot day in the afternoon it stays about 180-185 going down the highway. With the a/c on sitting in traffic, it goes above 200 pretty quick. I've got a new heavy duty fan clutch sitting here that I need to install, hopefully that'll help.

 

[Michael Yount]

1bad - sounds like the rad is doing it's job - hopefully the clutch takes care of air movement for you. If not, properly engineered electric fan will have that thing sitting at 185F all the time.

 

[olymaster]

i got a brand new engine on break in and it apears it has a 160 degree thermastat this is what the engine builder put it it
and it runs at 160 in traffic and just under while moving along.
its this ok should i go wiht a hotter temp?

 

[HISSIN50]

1Bad, good advice from Michael. You have more radiator than I do; i would be VERY surprised if a new HD fan clutch did not take care of the idling/low speed issues.

Also, if your stock fan blade looks suspect (they crack, etc), I would either renew it or go with a metal replacement. the metal replacement is cheaper and really flows some good air (I live in the desert, so cooling takes priority over parasitic loss from the mechanical fan).

good luck.

 

[1bad86GT]

Yeah, my stock fan looks pretty sick. There are cracks between almost every blade. I was thinking of ordering one from Latemodel Restoration Supply, they have an oem replacement for like 40 bucks. I went to the dealer to check, and a ford one is $100. Where do I find a metal one?

 

[HISSIN50]

Where do I find a metal one?

I got mine from PAW for under 40 shipped. I think it is capable of moving a good bit more air than the plastic one, which is just what I want. with a HD clutch it is loud though (warning. ).

I would pull a link for you, but on dial-up, it takes FOREVER to nav their site. they have ads in the stang mags (usually two page ads) and their catalog is like a phone book. good stuff.

good luck.

 

[Loco5.0]

I see approx 40 psi of oil press. when warm & approx 50 when cold.

Water temp stays at about 185-190 while cruising & goes no higher than 190-195 while in traffic.

Mods are in sig.

 

[Michael Yount]

I'd definitely pull the 160 and put a 180 in it. If you have enough rad and fan to stay at 160, you'll have no problems at 180 - capacity to spare it sounds like.

 

[olymaster]

i got a huge 3 core aluminum radiator and a high flow water pump but fan is stock
is it better to run 180 vs 160?

 

[HISSIN50]

i got a huge 3 core aluminum radiator and a high flow water pump but fan is stock
is it better to run 180 vs 160?

See Michael's post above yours. It is better to run a 180 (coolant temps around 185-200*F are pretty ideal with consideration to drivability, computer operation, etc, IMHO).

 

[GTJAMMER]

WOW!!! Thanks for all the info, nd opinions. It has an electric fan and the stock radiator. I think the punk who I bought it from had no respect for the car, and no pride in his work. He did have cash though, by ALL THE GOODIES HE PUT ON IT. I guess my best bet is to go through it thoroughly and upgrade the cooling system, and maybe get into the block with a rebuild. THANKS everyone!!

GTJAMMER