Hey guys

Serviced the 3 row radiator, installed a clutch fan and shroud, put in a new thermostat and replaced all hoses and she sstttiiiiillll runs hot, I want temp to be around 170-180 but it sits at about 195-200*. Don't really want to get an aluminium radiator or put my electric fan back on.

What haven't I thought of? Or will it always run at this temp?

67 390 w/cam 4V 750 holley 4 spd

 

check your timing.

 

195-200 is well within operating temp. Much colder and you wont boil the water out of the oil that condenses while it sits and cools after being driven. Contrary to popular thought, 220F is not too hot even for an old FE. If you want to run cooler for more power at the strip, then that is different and temporary. 250F is too hot, and if it gets there then you have a problem, but not at 200.

 

I used to know a Ford engineer, who has passed away. He told me these engines were designed to use a 190° thermostat, and your 195°-200° operation is dead-bang perfect. Ford considered "overheat" to be 220°.

 

i run at around 170 on a 85ish degree day.

is there really a true way to tell if your running too cold?

 

A real temp gauge or laser pyrometer will tell you, the one the cars came with is lousy. In a pinch, swipe the digital cooking thermometer from the kitchen and clamp or tape it to the upper hose. Don't get caught.

 

i bought one of ebay. one of those laser thingies .. worth every single penny.
if you don't mind buying in taiwan/hongkong directly where they're manufactured anyway) you'll get it for the price of a 9V battery, which is even included ....

http://cgi.ebay.com/Non-Contact-IR-I...d=p4999.c0.m14

check on shipping though ...
what i want to say is they're cheap and good, it was worth it for me but you might get quicker and cheaper in states

 

I picked up an IR thermometer at Radio Shack on clearance for $4.95, works quite well. Confirmed my suspicions that these old vinyl seats get hot, 5 minutes in the sun mine were reading 170º+.

About the "overheating engine", well it's not overheating, the temperature you're getting is right in the perfect range, which means it's running well. No need to worry, so you can just leave it alone like everyone else says.

 

thanks guys, for some reason i thought operating temp was 170-180*....should probably go and get myself a manual

thanks again